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| Cyclone aftermath: Houses in Port Hedland damaged by Cyclone George (below), and 1 Sqn Pilbara Regt members with WA Premier Alan Carpenter, who paid a visit to thank the soldiers for their efforts (above). |
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1 SQN Pilbara Regt members on patrols were withdrawn to their HQ in Port Hedland but were forced to evacuate their depot and spend a tense night sheltering in their OC’s home amid a destructive cyclone and the threat of a tidal surge on March 8.
Forty-five homes were lost in Port Hedland and others suffered extensive damage in what has been described as the worst cyclone in 30 years to hit the Pilbara West Region.
1 Sqn Pilbara Regt assisted emergency services before and in the aftermath of Cyclone George.
Maj Mark Smith, OC 1 Sqn, said it was a tense experience when the cyclone hit.
“Power and comms were lost. We could see trees being bent over and gale-force winds were rocking the house,” Maj Smith said.
He said personnel were conducting patrols as part of Operation Resolute, the ADF’s support to Border Protection Command, on March 7, but were withdrawn to the squadron HQ because of the cyclone’s imminent arrival.
“We evacuated the depot because we were informed that a tidal surge was likely.
The depot is situated on low ground close to the coast so my residence became the squadron evac plan. It is the only piece of high ground in Port Headland. Ten soldiers took refuge there,” he said.
1 Sqn personnel were called into action before the cyclone hit and helped emergency services knock on doors to advise residents to evacuate.
Immediately after the cyclone the troops were back out assisting the community. The medics helped out at the hospital acting as orderlies to assist nursing staff attending to the many casualties flown in from outlying areas. The medics picked up valuable lessons and their efforts were much appreciated by the nursing staff. Other members assisted in escort duties for emergency service teams that conducted damage assessments.
“Civil authorities requested the detention centre to be used as an evac centre. This became our main effort over the next couple of days. We were lucky to have a cook – Jeff the chef – in location as a result of the intended patrol period that was promptly postponed,” Maj Smith said.
“We found ourselves catering for the emergency crews and those people evacuated from flood-affected areas.”
Members were also tasked with restoring a generator at a retirement home. Maj Smith said the home had lost power and residents were quite distressed.
The depot received minor damage and one soldier’s home was extensively damaged.
The members of 1 Sqn were stood down at lunchtime on March 13 to attend to their homes and families.
“This was the first time that the soldiers had been involved in the community as far as emergency tasks are concerned.
The soldiers who are members of the community felt as if they had done their part in assisting emergency crew where we were able,” Maj Smith said.
“I was impressed with the way the soldiers got on with the job. It was a fast and hard way to meet and get involved with all the major stakeholders in the town.
“I keep remembering these words that people said to me over and over throughout the experience, ‘Welcome to the Pilbara’.”
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