…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Cyclone Ilsa, a category-five system, recently tore through Western Australia’s northwest coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The Pardoo Roadhouse and tavern in the state’s Pilbara region was hit hard by the cyclone and is now facing a massive cleanup and rebuild effort estimated to cost upwards of $4 million.
One of the roadhouse’s owners, Kelly Anne Martinez, shared an update to the business’ Facebook page confirming all staff were safe and well.
While the roadhouse is insured, the team is in the process of setting up a GoFundMe for those willing to donate to help them get back on their feet.
Photos of the damage show the roadhouse’s roof completely torn off, with boxes of drinks knocked to the ground and pieces of the ceiling strewn across the floor.
One of the owners, Will Batth, described the experience as “four hours of hell.”
He and a colleague managed to flee the roadhouse inside a shipping container, but had to battle the ferocious winds to get inside.
Mr. Batth expressed that there will be months of cleaning and five or six years of financial burden if they manage to open it up again, which at the moment, is uncertain.
The cyclone hit WA’s north-west coast with winds of 213km/h and record-breaking wind gusts of nearly 300km/hour.
On Friday morning, it was classified as a category-three system and was expected to maintain cyclone intensity until night as it moved hundreds of kilometers inland towards Telfer and Kunawarritji.
While natural disasters are always devastating, the Pardoo Roadhouse serves as a reminder of the impact such events can have on small businesses and local communities.
The roadhouse is not only a place of work but also a community hub for nearby FIFO workers, truckies, and travelers.
The road to recovery will be a long and difficult one, but with the support of the community, the Pardoo Roadhouse will hopefully be able to rebuild and reopen in the near future.
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