21 Dec 2010

Widespread flood damage in Western Australia

4:15 pm on 21 December 2010

Flooding in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia has caused widespread damage to crops and pastoral stations.

More than a year's worth of rain has fallen in the region in less than two days. The flooding is the worst in half a century.

The ABC reports more than 100 stations and at least 16 Aboriginal communities are cut off.

Station owner Jim Caunt at Mooloo Downs, more than 200km east of Carnarvon, expects to have lost a significant number of cattle.

He has been isolated at the station's homestead since Friday night.

The state government says flooded areas are likely to be declared a natural disaster zone.