Three Elders and four children travelling from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Tjuntjuntjara have been found, as severe weather threatens WA.
Two vehicles travelling in a convoy last Sunday between 10am and 2pm got stuck while traversing the 700 kilometre road between Kalgoorlie and Tjuntjunjara.
The four children are aged between seven and seventeen.
Emergency services began searching on Wednesday, with efforts being complicated by the weather, as record rainfall was recorded in the state.
Police confirmed overnight that they were found "safe and well" by the air wing.
Search for the family
Record rainfall in Western Australia's Southern Interior Credit: Facebook: Rawlinna Station WA
Attempts to find the family by air were initially interfered with by thick cloud cover and dangerous weather conditions, forcing the search to be halted after an hour.
It's understood that as conditions cleared, air wing searches were relaunched, and the family were found overnight.
Jon Lark, CEO of the local Aboriginal corporation, Tjuntjunjara Community, told NITV that everyone in the community were anxious after not hearing from the family for a number of days.
“Tjuntjunjara is a town of 150 people. I’ve known them all for thirty years.”
Speaking before they were found, Lark said that he believed if the family stuck together and with their vehicle they would have the best chance.
They are pretty resilient people so they have just as good a chance as anyone but still it’s a long time and we are very worried about them.
Weather calming across Western Australia
The Eyre Highway has been re-opened to deliver much need supplies, however the Trans-Australian Railway Line is still closed, after a year's worth of rain fell in four days in the state's south-east.
The Bureau of Meteorology are monitoring a tropical low that was threatening to be upgraded to a cyclone as Christmas Island is hit with damaging winds and rainfall.
BoM is monitoring a low pressure weather system that passed over Christmas Island with damaging winds and rainfall. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology
- Find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.
- Close curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
- Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning.
- If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
- Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
- Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
- Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
- Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live.
- Assess your home, car and property for damage.
- If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
- If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.
