Midwest Times

‘No room for complacency’Grim asbestos warning for cyclone-ravaged areas

A respiratory expert has urged residents in cyclone-ravaged towns to wear masks when handling asbestos, as it is revealed that ‘background levels’ of airborne asbestos have been detected in Kalbarri.

Sarah Steger

People powerGenerators delivered to Northampton

With power now restored in Geraldton, the City of Greater Geraldton put a call out for residents to lend their generators to their Northampton neighbours still without power.

Phoebe Pin

Behind enemy linesThe HUGE 1.7m sqkm task facing Broome Lib Neil Thomson

The softly spoken first-term Liberal MP, pictured, is the only viable Opposition voice to the McGowan juggernaut north of Onslow and is one of only two new Liberal members in Parliament

Tom Zaunmayr

Martial artsFists of Fury fight night brings combat to Geraldton

Excited crowds cheered and yelled throughout the evening at Activewest Stadium in Geraldton for a stacked card of fights for charity at Fists of Fury 2: Maximum Impact.

Reuben Carder

Mateship enduresWest Australians dig deep for Seroja survivors

The outpouring of support in response to ex-Tropical Cyclone Seroja has been immense, with almost $3 million already raised for survivors of the catastrophic storm.

Sarah Steger

Multi-million dollar damageCyclone Seroja insurance claims soar into the thousands

Thousands of claims have been submitted in the wake of Sunday’s devastation, as authorities prepare for a total clean-up bill that could top $200 million.

Caitlyn Rintoul

SCHOOLS-OUTSchool holidays from hell to continue into term two

Five Mid West schools are unlikely to welcome students back for term two next week, with another three still without power.

Elise Van Aken

SEE THE PHOTOSFrustrated cyclone victims forced into six-hour queues

Hundreds of locals impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Seroja continue to spend hours queuing in the sun to get vital pre-paid food and fuel vouchers, prompting calls for the system to be moved online.

Sarah Steger

Crash man walksPilot rebounds up club stairs

After a horrific December crash, 72-year-old grandfather is up and about.

Geoff Vivian

PM’s visit to WAScoMo lands in cyclone-ravaged Kalbarri

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thanked volunteers after arriving in the decimated town, noting that homes in the area ‘look like sardine cans with the roof pulled off’.

Lanai Scarr

SurfingGeraldton surfers win King of Point titles at Trigg

Geraldton surfers are the king and prince of Trigg Poin with Max Marsden winning the open division at the King of the Point contest and Jake Hagan, 15, winning the under-21s.

Reuben Carder

SCOMO IN WAPM to drop in

Kalbarri and Northampton have been picking up the pieces of their flattened towns for five days, while the PM has wined and dined with hundreds of WA’s business leaders.

Lanai Scarr and Elise Van Aken

CYCLONE CARNAGE‘No time to stop’ on long road to recovery

While Kalbarri and Northampton bore the brunt of cyclone Seroja, it went on to carve a path of destruction inland. Perenjori and Mingenew were hit hard and have been reeling from the damage caused.

Elise Van Aken

Cyclone SerojaWatering down asbestos fears in Kalbarri

Close to 300L of a chemical bonding and sealing agent has been offloaded in the cyclone-smashed town as fears grow over the mountains of asbestos strewn across the area.

Sarah Steger

Devastating tollCyclone damage bill could reach $200m

The cost of Cyclone Seroja has been estimated to be as much as $200 million after authorities counted 660 damaged properties in the Mid West, including dozens of unlivable homes.

Peter Law & Sarah Steger

‘Live-distance’ child abuseAlleged WA creep ‘paid to watch kids be abused’: Cops

A Mid West man accused of paying to see children being abused live on camera from his Geraldton home is behind bars, charged with almost 70 child abuse offences.

Seroja aftermathJK, Eagles stars call on fans to dig deep for Mid West

The West Coast Eagles are calling on WA footy fans to dig deep to help the State’s Mid West rebuild a region torn apart this week by Cyclone Seroja.

Steve Butler

Seroja aftermathLocals line up for hours for cyclone help

Hundreds of people lined up for hours in Geraldton today to access State Government vouchers to replace essential items lost in the cyclone aftermath.

Kate Campbell

Major blowKalbarri microgrid delayed again after cyclone

A long delayed microgrid to help power the town is facing yet another setback from the cyclone, in a major blow to traders and residents who were hit by ongoing blackouts before the weather event.

Danielle Le Messurier

Disaster recoveryThe hidden threat in wake of Cyclone Seroja devastation

The force in which Cyclone Seroja ravaged WA’s Mid West was swift and brutal. But a more insidious and deadly threat lies in the rubble and debris left in the aftermath.

Sarah Steger and John Flint

Recovery supportWA digs deep with $2.75m as Seroja clean-up begins

Millions of dollars in donations for Cyclone Seroja victims have already poured into WA’s official State emergency appeal— the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.

Caitlyn Rintoul

COVID vaccineAstraZeneca vaccine side effect “ exceedingly rare”

A Geraldton doctor has assured people under the age of 50 who have already received the AstraZeneca vaccine the chances of them experiencing side effects remain low.

Phoebe Pin

Carnarvon crime spree‘Great place’, just mind the crime

Carnarvon businesses are becoming fed up with a juvenile crime spree targeting their premises and Shire-run facilities, which they say is tarnishing the town’s reputation.

Geoff Vivian

Vaccine rolloutAboriginal medical practice starts vaccine rollout

A Yamatji woman was among the first to receive her COVID-19 jab when a Geraldton Aboriginal medical practice started its vaccination program last week.

Phoebe Pin