Cyclone Monty, which hit mining towns in the north-west of Western Australia last week, hasn’t caused insurers any particular problems. Chris Henri, National Co-ordinator of the Insurance Disaster Response Organisation, says the clean-up after the category 4 cyclone passed through hasn’t yet warranted its assistance.  

“With these types of mining towns one insurer usually covers the whole town, including domestic policies and industrial cover,” he said. “At this stage we haven’t heard of any major problems over wind damage or anything like that.”

The 650 inhabitants of Pannawonica were flooded when the cyclone hit last Monday. The town – which houses workers employed at the Rio Tinto-owned Robe River mine – came close to being evacuated after all electricity was cut and sewage leaked into the flooded streets.