WA Pilbara region still cleaning up after category four storm

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Residents in Western Australia's Pilbara are still picking up the pieces in the wake of tropical cyclone Zelia. The category 4 cyclone hit the coast with destructive winds on Valentine's Day, near Port Hedland, dumping huge amounts of rain.

Transcript

00:00The Coongan River in record flood in the wake of tropical cyclone Zelia.

00:06Less than three weeks later, the floodwaters have dried up, but the memories are still

00:11raw.

00:12I opened the door and the ocean was there.

00:16Alex Dorrington has run a river gum nursery near Marble Bar for 27 years.

00:21Two thousand plants, slated for sale to towns and rejuvenated mine sites, drowned.

00:27The river here is where we grow all our trees, it's been completely ruined.

00:32The damage bill is expected to come close to $60,000.

00:36It does take an emotional toll because it's stuff that I've worked with for many years.

00:41Residents in Marble Bar say that floodwaters pooled here on this side of the low level

00:45crossing, building and building until this road burst like a dam.

00:50Further downstream, homes and businesses would be caught in the rising Coongan River.

00:55If it hadn't been for that dam bursting, we wouldn't have had this flood.

01:01Others caught in the path of cyclone Zelia are still waiting for the all clear to return

01:06home.

01:07Temporary classrooms in Port Hedland, keeping school alive for students evacuated from their

01:11remote community.

01:13While it's doing for now, we hope to be back in community as soon as possible.

01:19On the outskirts of Port Hedland, one of the oldest independent Aboriginal schools in Australia

01:24is keen to get students back on country.

01:28In town, you know, too much trouble, getting in trouble with the police.

01:33I see a few others, you know, so I feel bad.

01:39That's why we keep them here.

01:42We've been taught the right way.

01:45With power recently restored, staff are confident students will be back in classrooms at the

01:50Strelly School soon.

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