Repair crews across Western Australia’s Kimberley are still busy six months after two cyclones carved through the Dampier Peninsula in quick succession, with communities and businesses racing to finish the work before the next wet arrives.

ABC News reports that Cyclone Hayley struck the peninsula at category three in December 2025, followed by Cyclone Luana at category two just three weeks later. The Bureau of Meteorology described back-to-back hits on a single small region as “rare”. The 2025-26 wet season also recorded the equal-highest number of tropical cyclones to make landfall across the Kimberley, with three direct hits in total.

Finding enough contractors has been the real bottleneck. Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Nathan McIvor said his community’s recovery had stalled for exactly that reason. “Contractors are very busy and they’re having to go to many different communities,” he said. Some residents are still waiting on home repairs.

Damage varied widely across the peninsula. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm’s tourist accommodation took a direct hit, requiring extensive building and carpentry work. Managing director James Brown said the farm would be at least $500,000 out of pocket after insurance, with total costs potentially reaching $1 million. At Ardyaloon, houses stayed intact but a turtle hatchery and surrounding vegetation were badly damaged. Roofs were ripped off and powerlines brought down at Djarindjin, and a new basketball court was damaged. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said SES volunteers received 65 requests for assistance across the Kimberley during the wet season, more than three times the previous season’s total.

The WA government offered grants of up to $20,000 for businesses affected by Cyclone Narelle, a separate system that made landfall three times as a severe tropical cyclone, the first to do so in 21 years. Brown said he was surprised similar support wasn’t extended to tourism operators on the Dampier Peninsula. “I know there was a lot of damage to other tourism operators,” he said. “I’m sure everybody would have really appreciated a bit of help just to get back up and running.”

For tradies working in or around the Kimberley, demand is still there. The clock is ticking before the next wet season begins.

Frequently asked questions

How many cyclones hit the Kimberley in the 2025-26 wet season?

Three tropical cyclones made direct landfall across the Kimberley during the 2025-26 wet season, matching the equal-highest number on record according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Were there government grants available for businesses damaged by the Dampier Peninsula cyclones?

The WA government offered grants of up to $20,000 for businesses affected by Cyclone Narelle, but James Brown of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm said he was surprised similar support wasn’t extended to Dampier Peninsula tourism operators hit by Cyclones Hayley and Luana.

Sourced from ABC News. Original article.