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The Advertiser
6 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
Rhythm of disasters: meet the veteran volunteers helping in flood aftermath
They never get easier, but Dianne Skaines has seen so many natural disasters that she recognises the rhythm of these things. By lunchtime on Wednesday, the recovery centre at Maitland Town Hall had seen about 20 families, farmers, and homeowners displaced or rocked by the week's flooding. A dozen or so support organisations, insurers, chaplains, and other services had set up shop under the control of the state government's reconstruction authority, which will operate the recovery centre for around the next week to help connect displaced and flooded residents find the support they need. Mrs Skaines, representing the Red Cross and cradling a small dog called Mary Lou while her owner sought advice inside, had seen it all before. She joined the NSW State Emergency Service shortly after the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. During the Pasha Bulker storm, she rode a flood boat through Hamilton North, helping people and their pets out of the water. Later, as a volunteer firefighter on blackout training, she remembers seeing a scurrying animal in the low light and reaching down to collect it. She picked it up, and it bit her, though she did not mind. She put it into her helmet to keep it safe. When an officer came around, they joked she had rescued a rat. "I'll wear that," she said with a good-hearted smile, gently petting Mary Lou. "They're all God's critters." Mrs Skaines has been volunteering with one organisation or another for more than 30 years. Lake Macquarie's Gail Campbell, also in the Red Cross t-shirt, was also a long-time volunteer and their team leader for the day, With Margaret Olsson, from Thornton, the trio had decades of experience between them in helping people when it felt the walls had come crashing down. "We meet and greet," Mrs Campbell said gently. "Offer them a cuppa and start them off. They can have a little bit of a talk and then get taken around to where they need to go." Most residents who attended on Wednesday were looking for advice on dealing with mould, and some were asking about financial help to get back on their feet. All were looking for answers and support. Few walked away with all the answers they came looking for, Mrs Skaines said, but they got what they needed. Importantly for the three volunteers, they did not feel alone as they left. "It's good for them to come in and have a chat," Mrs Campbell said. "Someone to talk to," Mrs Olsson said. The federal government has pledged a disaster recovery payment of up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments of up to $900 per family. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available, and primary producers will have access to concessional loans and freight subsidies. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days, AAP reported on Wednesday. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain told ABC radio. "This isn't going to be something that is done quickly and we've reiterated that we will be there for the long haul." - with reporting by AAP They never get easier, but Dianne Skaines has seen so many natural disasters that she recognises the rhythm of these things. By lunchtime on Wednesday, the recovery centre at Maitland Town Hall had seen about 20 families, farmers, and homeowners displaced or rocked by the week's flooding. A dozen or so support organisations, insurers, chaplains, and other services had set up shop under the control of the state government's reconstruction authority, which will operate the recovery centre for around the next week to help connect displaced and flooded residents find the support they need. Mrs Skaines, representing the Red Cross and cradling a small dog called Mary Lou while her owner sought advice inside, had seen it all before. She joined the NSW State Emergency Service shortly after the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. During the Pasha Bulker storm, she rode a flood boat through Hamilton North, helping people and their pets out of the water. Later, as a volunteer firefighter on blackout training, she remembers seeing a scurrying animal in the low light and reaching down to collect it. She picked it up, and it bit her, though she did not mind. She put it into her helmet to keep it safe. When an officer came around, they joked she had rescued a rat. "I'll wear that," she said with a good-hearted smile, gently petting Mary Lou. "They're all God's critters." Mrs Skaines has been volunteering with one organisation or another for more than 30 years. Lake Macquarie's Gail Campbell, also in the Red Cross t-shirt, was also a long-time volunteer and their team leader for the day, With Margaret Olsson, from Thornton, the trio had decades of experience between them in helping people when it felt the walls had come crashing down. "We meet and greet," Mrs Campbell said gently. "Offer them a cuppa and start them off. They can have a little bit of a talk and then get taken around to where they need to go." Most residents who attended on Wednesday were looking for advice on dealing with mould, and some were asking about financial help to get back on their feet. All were looking for answers and support. Few walked away with all the answers they came looking for, Mrs Skaines said, but they got what they needed. Importantly for the three volunteers, they did not feel alone as they left. "It's good for them to come in and have a chat," Mrs Campbell said. "Someone to talk to," Mrs Olsson said. The federal government has pledged a disaster recovery payment of up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments of up to $900 per family. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available, and primary producers will have access to concessional loans and freight subsidies. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days, AAP reported on Wednesday. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain told ABC radio. "This isn't going to be something that is done quickly and we've reiterated that we will be there for the long haul." - with reporting by AAP They never get easier, but Dianne Skaines has seen so many natural disasters that she recognises the rhythm of these things. By lunchtime on Wednesday, the recovery centre at Maitland Town Hall had seen about 20 families, farmers, and homeowners displaced or rocked by the week's flooding. A dozen or so support organisations, insurers, chaplains, and other services had set up shop under the control of the state government's reconstruction authority, which will operate the recovery centre for around the next week to help connect displaced and flooded residents find the support they need. Mrs Skaines, representing the Red Cross and cradling a small dog called Mary Lou while her owner sought advice inside, had seen it all before. She joined the NSW State Emergency Service shortly after the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. During the Pasha Bulker storm, she rode a flood boat through Hamilton North, helping people and their pets out of the water. Later, as a volunteer firefighter on blackout training, she remembers seeing a scurrying animal in the low light and reaching down to collect it. She picked it up, and it bit her, though she did not mind. She put it into her helmet to keep it safe. When an officer came around, they joked she had rescued a rat. "I'll wear that," she said with a good-hearted smile, gently petting Mary Lou. "They're all God's critters." Mrs Skaines has been volunteering with one organisation or another for more than 30 years. Lake Macquarie's Gail Campbell, also in the Red Cross t-shirt, was also a long-time volunteer and their team leader for the day, With Margaret Olsson, from Thornton, the trio had decades of experience between them in helping people when it felt the walls had come crashing down. "We meet and greet," Mrs Campbell said gently. "Offer them a cuppa and start them off. They can have a little bit of a talk and then get taken around to where they need to go." Most residents who attended on Wednesday were looking for advice on dealing with mould, and some were asking about financial help to get back on their feet. All were looking for answers and support. Few walked away with all the answers they came looking for, Mrs Skaines said, but they got what they needed. Importantly for the three volunteers, they did not feel alone as they left. "It's good for them to come in and have a chat," Mrs Campbell said. "Someone to talk to," Mrs Olsson said. The federal government has pledged a disaster recovery payment of up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments of up to $900 per family. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available, and primary producers will have access to concessional loans and freight subsidies. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days, AAP reported on Wednesday. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain told ABC radio. "This isn't going to be something that is done quickly and we've reiterated that we will be there for the long haul." - with reporting by AAP They never get easier, but Dianne Skaines has seen so many natural disasters that she recognises the rhythm of these things. By lunchtime on Wednesday, the recovery centre at Maitland Town Hall had seen about 20 families, farmers, and homeowners displaced or rocked by the week's flooding. A dozen or so support organisations, insurers, chaplains, and other services had set up shop under the control of the state government's reconstruction authority, which will operate the recovery centre for around the next week to help connect displaced and flooded residents find the support they need. Mrs Skaines, representing the Red Cross and cradling a small dog called Mary Lou while her owner sought advice inside, had seen it all before. She joined the NSW State Emergency Service shortly after the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. During the Pasha Bulker storm, she rode a flood boat through Hamilton North, helping people and their pets out of the water. Later, as a volunteer firefighter on blackout training, she remembers seeing a scurrying animal in the low light and reaching down to collect it. She picked it up, and it bit her, though she did not mind. She put it into her helmet to keep it safe. When an officer came around, they joked she had rescued a rat. "I'll wear that," she said with a good-hearted smile, gently petting Mary Lou. "They're all God's critters." Mrs Skaines has been volunteering with one organisation or another for more than 30 years. Lake Macquarie's Gail Campbell, also in the Red Cross t-shirt, was also a long-time volunteer and their team leader for the day, With Margaret Olsson, from Thornton, the trio had decades of experience between them in helping people when it felt the walls had come crashing down. "We meet and greet," Mrs Campbell said gently. "Offer them a cuppa and start them off. They can have a little bit of a talk and then get taken around to where they need to go." Most residents who attended on Wednesday were looking for advice on dealing with mould, and some were asking about financial help to get back on their feet. All were looking for answers and support. Few walked away with all the answers they came looking for, Mrs Skaines said, but they got what they needed. Importantly for the three volunteers, they did not feel alone as they left. "It's good for them to come in and have a chat," Mrs Campbell said. "Someone to talk to," Mrs Olsson said. The federal government has pledged a disaster recovery payment of up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments of up to $900 per family. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available, and primary producers will have access to concessional loans and freight subsidies. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days, AAP reported on Wednesday. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain told ABC radio. "This isn't going to be something that is done quickly and we've reiterated that we will be there for the long haul." - with reporting by AAP
Bloomberg
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
Australia's East Coast Begins Flood Cleanup as Waters Recede
Australia has drafted in emergency service teams from across the nation to help with clean-up operations after devastating floods in the eastern state of New South Wales. Almost 200 additional personnel will take up specialist roles including water rescue, and storm and flood damage assessment, the NSW State Emergency Service said Sunday. About 32,000 residents are still isolated by floodwaters that are only slowly starting to abate.
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Epoch Times
NSW Flood Toll Rises to Four as Another Body Found in Submerged Car
A body has been found after a car was discovered in floodwaters, increasing the death toll from a widespread and dangerous inundation to four. The man, believed to be in his 70s, was found about 30km northwest of Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast on Friday after a passing motorist noticed a vehicle had run off a main road. His identity is yet to be confirmed. He's the fourth person to die as a result of the floods in the region since May 22. In the past 24 hours, the SES has responded to 1535 calls for help, including 177 floodwater rescues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges Australians to exercise common sense as the rain event continues, given the circumstances of the man's death. 'These are horrific circumstances,' he told Triple M Newcastle radio. Related Stories 3/4/2025 5/21/2025 'That is a tragedy for them, for their families and for the local communities.' The prime minister and NSW Premier Chris Minns will visit flood-affected regions on Friday morning to see the disaster first-hand and thank members of the NSW State Emergency Service. 'Those people are once again showing that, at the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character,' Albanese said. A slow-moving trough delivering intense rain will bring further heavy falls to parts of the NSW Hunter region, Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, extending further south throughout Friday morning. A police officer driving a sedan was travelling with a 60-year-old woman in a 4WD when they came across water over a road near Dorrigo on Wednesday night, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said. The officer checked the water level, which was 'ankle deep', and told the woman he wasn't continuing and advised her to be cautious and not enter floodwaters. The woman phoned the officer 30 minutes later saying she was in trouble about 17km away, Waddell said. She was found dead inside the 4WD on Thursday. 'We're just encouraging people, please do not enter these floodwaters,' Waddell said. 'It is a really dangerous once-in-a-lifetime event and there's been some tragedies ... obviously the police officer who spoke to the woman is very traumatised.' Flooding is seen in Port Macquarie, New South Wales on May 22, 2025. A slow-moving trough is dumping rain along the east coast of Australia, leaving thousands of people stranded AAP Image/Lindsay Moller A 63-year-old man's body was earlier found on a flooded home's verandah at Moto. The body of a man believed to be in his 30s was found in floodwaters west of Port Macquarie on Wednesday. There are grave fears for another man who remains missing. All of the deaths will be reviewed by the coroner. Heavy falls potentially totalling 150mm in 24 hours could bring flash flooding at Goulburn and south to Bega, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. Disaster assistance from the state and commonwealth governments has been expanded, with 19 areas now eligible for support. The allowance will be available from Monday. Specialist disaster lawyers would provide free advice about rejected insurance claims, housing issues and assistance grants, Legal Aid NSW said. Additional emergency services personnel were travelling from Victoria to assist on Thursday night. The latest floods should prompt a rethink in disaster management to mitigate future events, Australian National University flood researcher Mahdi Sedighkia said. 'We are clearly witnessing a marked increase in both the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, highlighting the urgent need to reassess how we understand and manage flood risks,' Sedighkia said.
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Animals stranded, houses surrounded: out on Hunter floodwaters with SES
A lone fox scurries along a small patch of green as a lizard hitches a ride on a log floating along muddy waters. Pelicans glide along the surface of the Paterson river, oblivious to the unnaturally-high river flowing around them. A black cow stands idle as water laps around her hooves. An NSW State Emergency Service high-speed rescue boat passes people along with animals grappling with the flood-affected river and surrounding farmland. Several NSW SES rescue and supply boats have left the Hunter River at Morpeth the last few days and winded northwards to the Paterson River at Hinton and Woodville to help residents isolated at home. Many properties in the small community of Woodville on the banks of the river have been cut off from the roads after heavy rain hit earlier this week. One house was semi-submerged, with a person evacuated and his two horses forced to be left behind on the paddock. Scott Fraser and his fluffy companions, Tilly and Lucy, had sheltered in place since the floodwaters rose on Tuesday, May 23. With a friendly wave to the passing rescue boat, Mr Fraser joked that with only his dogs to keep him company, he was lucky he shaved this morning. "I looked like a Yeti this morning," he laughed. Setting up camp in his shed, Mr Fraser said the bottom half of his house was underwater, and while isolating was fine, he was worried about the clean-up. "I'm a bit nervous of what it is going to be like when the river goes down, I'm pretty worried that I won't have any river or bank left eventually," he said. Right next to Mr Fraser's home was the Dunmore Bridge, which was closed early in the flooding. Large masses of sticks, logs and other debris had collected at the base of the Woodville bridge, and like many in the local area, he was unsure when the mess would subside. "It's beautiful living here 99.9 per cent of the time and you wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and then you get this and it's a couple of months of hard work," Mr Fraser said. While Mr Fraser had some concerns about the aftermath, his dogs didn't have a care in the world. "They think it is all very exciting, there have been pelicans everywhere so they are loving it," he said. His friends had dropped some pies before the water rushed in, and with a few bottles of vodka and non-alcoholic treats like lemonade and ginger beer, he reckoned he would be alright. The Hunter local said he was used to flooding having grown up in Duckenfield. "It is just natural, it would be like living next to the airport and whinging about the noise," he said. Many communities in the Hunter have been evacuated or isolated since the flooding started earlier this week including residents in parts of Dungog, Paterson, and Hinton. To stay up to date with flood warnings follow the Newcastle Herald's live blog. A lone fox scurries along a small patch of green as a lizard hitches a ride on a log floating along muddy waters. Pelicans glide along the surface of the Paterson river, oblivious to the unnaturally-high river flowing around them. A black cow stands idle as water laps around her hooves. An NSW State Emergency Service high-speed rescue boat passes people along with animals grappling with the flood-affected river and surrounding farmland. Several NSW SES rescue and supply boats have left the Hunter River at Morpeth the last few days and winded northwards to the Paterson River at Hinton and Woodville to help residents isolated at home. Many properties in the small community of Woodville on the banks of the river have been cut off from the roads after heavy rain hit earlier this week. One house was semi-submerged, with a person evacuated and his two horses forced to be left behind on the paddock. Scott Fraser and his fluffy companions, Tilly and Lucy, had sheltered in place since the floodwaters rose on Tuesday, May 23. With a friendly wave to the passing rescue boat, Mr Fraser joked that with only his dogs to keep him company, he was lucky he shaved this morning. "I looked like a Yeti this morning," he laughed. Setting up camp in his shed, Mr Fraser said the bottom half of his house was underwater, and while isolating was fine, he was worried about the clean-up. "I'm a bit nervous of what it is going to be like when the river goes down, I'm pretty worried that I won't have any river or bank left eventually," he said. Right next to Mr Fraser's home was the Dunmore Bridge, which was closed early in the flooding. Large masses of sticks, logs and other debris had collected at the base of the Woodville bridge, and like many in the local area, he was unsure when the mess would subside. "It's beautiful living here 99.9 per cent of the time and you wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and then you get this and it's a couple of months of hard work," Mr Fraser said. While Mr Fraser had some concerns about the aftermath, his dogs didn't have a care in the world. "They think it is all very exciting, there have been pelicans everywhere so they are loving it," he said. His friends had dropped some pies before the water rushed in, and with a few bottles of vodka and non-alcoholic treats like lemonade and ginger beer, he reckoned he would be alright. The Hunter local said he was used to flooding having grown up in Duckenfield. "It is just natural, it would be like living next to the airport and whinging about the noise," he said. Many communities in the Hunter have been evacuated or isolated since the flooding started earlier this week including residents in parts of Dungog, Paterson, and Hinton. To stay up to date with flood warnings follow the Newcastle Herald's live blog. A lone fox scurries along a small patch of green as a lizard hitches a ride on a log floating along muddy waters. Pelicans glide along the surface of the Paterson river, oblivious to the unnaturally-high river flowing around them. A black cow stands idle as water laps around her hooves. An NSW State Emergency Service high-speed rescue boat passes people along with animals grappling with the flood-affected river and surrounding farmland. Several NSW SES rescue and supply boats have left the Hunter River at Morpeth the last few days and winded northwards to the Paterson River at Hinton and Woodville to help residents isolated at home. Many properties in the small community of Woodville on the banks of the river have been cut off from the roads after heavy rain hit earlier this week. One house was semi-submerged, with a person evacuated and his two horses forced to be left behind on the paddock. Scott Fraser and his fluffy companions, Tilly and Lucy, had sheltered in place since the floodwaters rose on Tuesday, May 23. With a friendly wave to the passing rescue boat, Mr Fraser joked that with only his dogs to keep him company, he was lucky he shaved this morning. "I looked like a Yeti this morning," he laughed. Setting up camp in his shed, Mr Fraser said the bottom half of his house was underwater, and while isolating was fine, he was worried about the clean-up. "I'm a bit nervous of what it is going to be like when the river goes down, I'm pretty worried that I won't have any river or bank left eventually," he said. Right next to Mr Fraser's home was the Dunmore Bridge, which was closed early in the flooding. Large masses of sticks, logs and other debris had collected at the base of the Woodville bridge, and like many in the local area, he was unsure when the mess would subside. "It's beautiful living here 99.9 per cent of the time and you wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and then you get this and it's a couple of months of hard work," Mr Fraser said. While Mr Fraser had some concerns about the aftermath, his dogs didn't have a care in the world. "They think it is all very exciting, there have been pelicans everywhere so they are loving it," he said. His friends had dropped some pies before the water rushed in, and with a few bottles of vodka and non-alcoholic treats like lemonade and ginger beer, he reckoned he would be alright. The Hunter local said he was used to flooding having grown up in Duckenfield. "It is just natural, it would be like living next to the airport and whinging about the noise," he said. Many communities in the Hunter have been evacuated or isolated since the flooding started earlier this week including residents in parts of Dungog, Paterson, and Hinton. To stay up to date with flood warnings follow the Newcastle Herald's live blog. A lone fox scurries along a small patch of green as a lizard hitches a ride on a log floating along muddy waters. Pelicans glide along the surface of the Paterson river, oblivious to the unnaturally-high river flowing around them. A black cow stands idle as water laps around her hooves. An NSW State Emergency Service high-speed rescue boat passes people along with animals grappling with the flood-affected river and surrounding farmland. Several NSW SES rescue and supply boats have left the Hunter River at Morpeth the last few days and winded northwards to the Paterson River at Hinton and Woodville to help residents isolated at home. Many properties in the small community of Woodville on the banks of the river have been cut off from the roads after heavy rain hit earlier this week. One house was semi-submerged, with a person evacuated and his two horses forced to be left behind on the paddock. Scott Fraser and his fluffy companions, Tilly and Lucy, had sheltered in place since the floodwaters rose on Tuesday, May 23. With a friendly wave to the passing rescue boat, Mr Fraser joked that with only his dogs to keep him company, he was lucky he shaved this morning. "I looked like a Yeti this morning," he laughed. Setting up camp in his shed, Mr Fraser said the bottom half of his house was underwater, and while isolating was fine, he was worried about the clean-up. "I'm a bit nervous of what it is going to be like when the river goes down, I'm pretty worried that I won't have any river or bank left eventually," he said. Right next to Mr Fraser's home was the Dunmore Bridge, which was closed early in the flooding. Large masses of sticks, logs and other debris had collected at the base of the Woodville bridge, and like many in the local area, he was unsure when the mess would subside. "It's beautiful living here 99.9 per cent of the time and you wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and then you get this and it's a couple of months of hard work," Mr Fraser said. While Mr Fraser had some concerns about the aftermath, his dogs didn't have a care in the world. "They think it is all very exciting, there have been pelicans everywhere so they are loving it," he said. His friends had dropped some pies before the water rushed in, and with a few bottles of vodka and non-alcoholic treats like lemonade and ginger beer, he reckoned he would be alright. The Hunter local said he was used to flooding having grown up in Duckenfield. "It is just natural, it would be like living next to the airport and whinging about the noise," he said. Many communities in the Hunter have been evacuated or isolated since the flooding started earlier this week including residents in parts of Dungog, Paterson, and Hinton. To stay up to date with flood warnings follow the Newcastle Herald's live blog.
DW
23-05-2025
- Climate
- DW
Massive floods wreak havoc in eastern Australia – DW – 05/23/2025
The storms have dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, authorities said, causing death and devastation. Incessant rain over the past three days has unleashed massive floods in eastern Australia, inundating streets, cutting off entire towns and destroying homes. Parts of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, have been the worst hit by the fast-rising waters. The storms have dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, the government weather bureau has said. The government has declared a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areas Image: NSW State Emergency Service/Anadolu/picture alliance What do we know about the flood damage in New South Wales? The death toll from the floods rose to four on Friday. Four bodies have been pulled from the floodwater engulfing parts of northern New South Wales, a region some 400 kilometers (250 miles) up the coast from Sydney. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited some flood-affected areas on Friday. "These are horrific circumstances," Albanese said. "The Australian Defense Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required," he told local radio. "There's been massive damage to infrastructure and we're going to have to all really pitch in." The government has declared a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areas. Australia has been facing more extreme weather events in recent years Image: NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE/HANDOUT/AFP Tens of thousands still stranded Waters started receding on Friday morning, but around 50,000 people still remain isolated, authorities said. Thousands of workers have been deployed on rescue and recovery missions, as well as clean-up operations. Officials also warned people returning to their flooded homes to watch out for dangers. "Floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes. You need to assess those risks," New South Wales State Emergency Service boss Dallas Burnes said. "Electricity can also pose a danger as well." Frequent extreme weather events Australia has been facing more extreme weather events in recent years that some experts say are happening because of climate change. According to the government weather bureau, the oceans surrounding the country have been "abnormally warm" over the past few months. Warmer seas lead to the evaporation of more moisture into the atmosphere, which can eventually cause more intense rains. Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah
