Repair costs could be $200m after 170 properties destroyed or severely damaged by Tropical Cyclone Seroja

The extent of the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Seroja has been revealed, with the eye-watering repair bill expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars.

A total of 170 homes and businesses were totally destroyed or severely damaged by Tropical Cyclone Seroja, with the repair costs expected to reach up to $200m.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan described it as a traumatic event, with ramifications that would roll on for some time, noting a further 491 properties were also affected moderately or slightly.

“It’s really quite extraordinary to see what the cyclone did to some people’s businesses and homes,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“Obviously the assessment of the total cost of the damage we don’t know yet — that’s an ongoing process.”

Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm estimated the damage bill could be as high as $200m.

An aerial view of damaged buildings at Pelican Shore Villas in Kalbarri. Picture: Yvonne McKenzie/Getty Images

Asbestos fears and the ability to get workers into the regional areas to repair properties mean it could take years for some people to rebuild.

Mr Klemm said DFES was working with the local governments to make the area safe, including applying water to stop fibres spreading and using industrial style glue from Friday.

Mr McGowan said the priority was getting short-term accommodation for people who had become homeless.

“I understand it’s only a small group of people in that situation but we’re working as required to assist people in that situation,” he said.

DAMAGED PROPERTIES:

• 15 totally destroyed (11 of them are homes — nine in Kalbarri, one in Northampton and one in Port Gregory);
• 155 severely damaged (115 homes, including 44 in Kalbarri, 39 in Northampton and 11 in Morawa);
• 163 moderately damaged;
• 328 slightly damaged; and
• 303 were not damage.

WA Premier Mark McGowan visited some of the communities hit by Tropical Cyclone Seroja including Kalbarri, Northampton, Geraldton and Carnarvon. Picture: Facebook via NCA Newswire

Mr McGowan said there had been a huge effort with the clean-up and service restoration, in particular around roads and power.

“We’re in the process of restoring power to the remaining 13,500 homes that are without power now,” he said.

“Part of Geraldton has already had power restored overnight and we expect further parts of Geraldton will have power restored over the next 24 hours or so.

“But still north of Geraldton there will be large parts of the community that will take some time.

“The power poles basically were snapped off on the way through and so clearly that will take some time to fix.”

Damaged buildings along the Kalbarri foreshore. Picture: Yvonne McKenzie/Getty Images

Roads into the region have been reopened and the port of Geraldton will resume shipping operations later on Thursday.

“The harbour master opened the harbour yesterday afternoon and no doubt cargo vessels will start coming in and out again this afternoon,” the Premier said.

Mr McGowan said 36 public schools that were in the path of Tropical Cyclone Seroja had been cleared to open for the start of term two next week.

But 10 other public schools are still being assessed.

“It may be difficult (to open) with some of the damage to some of the schools,” Mr McGowan said.

Roads into the region have reopened. Picture: Yvonne McKenzie/Getty Images

Local government areas of Chapman Valley, Dalwallinu, Greater Geraldton, Morawa, Northampton and Shark Bay are eligible to receive financial assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“What this funding will do is provide help for those whose homes or belongings have been damaged,” Mr McGowan said.

The funding will also help support affected local governments with the costs of cleaning up and restoring public assets.

“Obviously some of these communities are tourism-related areas and the Government will look at what we can do to restore tourism visitation when it’s safe to do so,” the Premier said.

The Lord Mayor’s distress relief fund has so far raised $2.9m.