Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina has caused extensive damage to the Berkeley River Lodge, a luxury wilderness resort in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region. The category three system crossed the coast on Monday night, resulting in what authorities describe as a 'total loss of infrastructure' at the site.
Two caretakers who sheltered in an underground bunker escaped uninjured. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) plans to evacuate them as soon as weather conditions permit. The caretakers have access to food and water but are without power.
Owner Chris Banson reported that three of the 18 villas were destroyed and staff accommodation suffered extensive damage. No guests were impacted as the tourism season closed in September. Banson expressed hope that the lodge would reopen in May next year, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
DFES acting Kimberley superintendent Todd Pender said the caretakers took refuge in an underground 40-foot shipping container at 2pm on Monday. They made contact with emergency crews early Tuesday. Pender noted that emergency services are waiting for strong winds to ease before flying to the site to check on the caretakers and potentially bring them to Kununurra.
The Bureau of Meteorology downgraded the system to a tropical low on Tuesday afternoon. It is located about 115 kilometres north-west of Wyndham and is expected to track inland before dissipating on Wednesday. A severe weather warning remains in place for areas between Kalumburu and Wyndham, with heavy rain and possible flash flooding forecast.
This is the second cyclone to hit Berkeley River Lodge in eight years. In March 2017, Tropical Cyclone Blanche caused minor damage when it made landfall about five to 10 kilometres away as a category two system.
