Global Care Response - Recap of February-March Flood Events

Recently, NSW’s regions have been heavily impacted by the flood events of February-March 2022. Our amazing Global Care teams have been critical in responding to the needs and desperate pleas of the community, with much of their coordination coming from our own Ps Jenny Brewer in Taree, who has been able to partner with the organisation GIVIT to provide further assistance to communities in Casino and Lismore.

With the consent of specific individuals, Ps Jenny has written and passed on a few stories of how individuals and families have been impacted during these events. The names of the individuals in these stories have been changed to protect the identity of those who have shared their stories.

“The recent floods in the Lismore and the Northern Rivers have been widespread and catastrophic. 

On a recent visit, most people we talked to had lost most of their possessions, had no flood insurance and have been relocated, unsure when they will return.  Thanks to an incredible partnership with not for profit organisation, GIVIT, food and petrol vouchers have been distributed by our Global Care team to hundreds of families, as well as vouchers for much needed new furniture and white goods.

John’s story

John lives alone and doesn’t have family in the area. His story, like so many others, was heartbreaking. He was getting his home ready to sell, and had only recently upgraded all new furniture and appliances. He had kept an eye on the floodwaters, but nothing prepared him for how fast the waters rose that day. He tried in vain to save his possessions, but couldn’t put them high enough. He had nowhere to go but crawl out to the ledge just outside his 2nd story window, where he sat in the elements, keeping an eye on the rising water. He was finally rescued by a neighbour who picked him up in his canoe just in time, then took him and other neighbours to a higher roof while we went to find more people. His neighbour ended up rescuing six people in his canoe.

John showed me through his home, now empty of possessions. Any remaining furniture was destroyed. “Who would want to buy my house now?” he said sadly. He has cracks in his chimney, and can’t find a builder. He is still living 30 minutes away, and hopes to move back as he starts to rebuild his life. Thankfully, the last time we spoke he sounded more hopeful. “I just want to get back home.”

Sara’s story

Sara had just purchased her first home. We met quickly just after she picked up her son from preschool, and at first I wondered why she wasn’t getting him out the car, then realised that of course they couldn’t stay… this was no longer home. The force of the water had literally pushed the house almost half a metre over, so had to be supported by iron posts and will need to be re-stumped. Sara was quiet and so appreciative of our support, but when you’re standing face to face with such complete loss - it still doesn’t feel like it’s enough… “I am so grateful for what people are doing for us”, she said. But the road is long as she begins to work out where they’re going to live, and how they are going to rebuild.

Ruth’s story

Ruth and her family spent 8 hours sitting on their roof under a tarp with their neighbours, a Rottweiler and a beagle - sheltering under a tarp. They had no choice as the waters had risen up to the 2nd floor of their two story home. They huddled together for most of the day in the rain, unsure when help would come. When the boat arrived, they directed rescuers to save their elderly neighbours and younger families first. Then they were finally bought to safety. This was just the beginning of their ordeal as they had to relocate just with the clothes on their backs, and the realisation that they had lost all of their possessions. “We have lived here for 32 years and have never seen a flood like this, but, we had nothing back in 1977, so we will rebuild and start again”. Such resilience. They have since relocated twice, while they start to rebuild. Her husband had just retired but will now need to go back to work. They also have other family members who lost their homes and possessions as well, so are assisting them as best as they can.”

It is hard to comprehend that there are thousands of stories similar to these, of people who have had their lives forever changed by these flood events. Faith Family thanks those who have bravely shared their stories and images with our Legacy community.

If you are interested in learning more about ways to assist in the efforts to restore people’s lives to some state of normalcy, please email either legacy@faithfamily.com.au or email Jenny directly at jenny@faithfamily.com.au.