Between late December 2017 and mid-February 2018, the Shire of Broome in Western Australia was impacted by three tropical cyclones and a tropical low. These events brought strong winds and torrential rain to Broome and other parts of the state’s north-west. The event represents an opportunity to share learnings with other disaster-prone communities.

Over the 2017-18 summer period, tropical cyclone Kelvin was the third to make landfall on the Australian mainland, and the third to impact Broome. Kelvin crossed the coast on 18 February as a Category 2 cyclone, 70 kilometres south-south-west of Broome. Kelvin moved inland over east Pilbara and was downgraded to a tropical low the following day.

Heavy rainfall occurred over parts of the Kimberley, Pilbara and North Interior district. Broome Airport recorded over 500 millimetres of rain over 16-19 February, which contributed to the January-February rainfall exceeding 1,550 millimetres – the highest recorded annual rainfall at Broome in 128 years. On 17 February, Broome Airport recorded its highest ever February daily rainfall of 376.8 millimetres.

Widespread road flooding occurred throughout Broome. The Great Northern Highway sustained significant flood damage, with some sections closed for an extended period. On 9 March, Kelvin was proclaimed eligible for disaster relief funding under the WANDRRA.