WA: Clean up operation begins in Broome after Rosita strikes

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2000
WA: Clean up operation begins in Broome after Rosita strikes

SYDNEY, April 22 AAP - The Western tourist resort of Broome was starting to clean up
today in the wake of Cyclone Rosita, the most fierce storm to batter the town in almost
a century.

Although Broome narrowly missed the full force of the category-four cyclone, power
supplies have been disrupted and the streets are strewn with damaged trees and shrubbery.

But the damage would have been far worse if Cyclone Rosita hadn't veered south of
the town before crossing the WA coastline on Thursday. The Eco Beach Resort was virtually
destroyed, regional SES manager Gordon Tiddums said.

"But the wall of the cyclone missed Broome by about 20 kilometres," he said.

"We were very lucky, extremely lucky.

"The cleanup is going pretty well at this stage. It's methodically slow, house by
house, street by street at this stage."

Residents and tourists were queuing for food today, Sky TV reported today.

AAP jx/it

KEYWORD: ROSITA (CARRIED EARLIER)

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