 A large cyclone swept through the Carnarvon area February 1961 , causing much devastation to the road network . Many floodways were completely washed away , and North West Coastal Highway was immersed in flood water for 60 miles ( 97 km ) either side of Onslow . Carnarvon was cut off from general traffic for two weeks , and the damage to the roads in the region took months to repair . Approval was given to realign the road further inland , where it would be less susceptible to flooding . 
