Hundreds across Ipswich homeless amid flood disaster

A man left destitute, two teenagers with nothing but their pets and renters whose possessions are gone — these are the shockingly sad stories behind our flood crisis.

Days of heavy rain and flooding have devastated communities across Ipswich, separating families, stripping homeless people of all their possessions and forcing hundreds to start from scratch.

About 330 people — including some with Covid — are preparing for another night spent in the city’s makeshift evacuation centre at the Ipswich Showgrounds.

Jason Cooper, 46, was living along the Bremer River bank when flood waters started to rise on Friday.

“It got really bad yesterday (Sunday) morning. We were trying to get out when the tent floated down the river,” he said.

“I lost everything. All I’ve got is the clothes that I’m sitting here in.”

Mr Cooper said he was glad to have evacuated the river bank site when he did, but he still lost everything he owned including his bedding and his wallet full of bank cards and cash.

He arrived at the evacuation centre about lunchtime on Sunday and had been sleeping on a makeshift bed outside since.

Sleeping under a roof instead of outside, even during this extreme weather event, just “doesn’t seem right”, he said.

Also staying at the evacuation centre on Monday were friends Nikita Hodges, 17, and Summer Barnes, 17.

The pair had been renting a place at Basin Pocket when the water “came up quicker than ever”, forcing them out of their house about 11.30am on Sunday.

“I went down there every 10 minutes to check the water and within that 10 minutes it was up ... two metres,” Ms Barnes said.

“It kept going up in less than 10 minutes, so it’s pretty bad.

“We’ve had to leave nearly everything behind at the house and bring what we can into the car and now we’re here.”

She said she and Ms Hodges had only brought a suitcase of clothes, blankets, two bags of food and their pets with them to the evacuation centre.

“Everything else is gone. There’s nothing left of it,” she said.

They have no idea whether their house is completely submerged in water or not. Ms Barnes’ sister, however, remains trapped inside her house at Brassall.

“It’s gotten worse (compared with the 2011 floods). The rivers weren’t rising as quick as what they were in these couple days,” Ms Barnes said.

“Everything should be thinking of what’s coming. We all don’t know what’s going to happen until it happens.

“Let’s hope for everyone to stay safe ... it’s all we can do. Have each other’s backs, watch each other.”

Meanwhile, homes located along the Bremer River have been inundated with water and cut off from power since 12pm on Sunday.

John Mollomini said the water started to rise about 7pm on Sunday night, flooding the first floor of his house and damaging the furniture he stored there.

Having lived in Ipswich for some time and knowing how it important it is to be prepared for weather events such as this, Mr Mollomini was well prepared.

“I made sure I had enough water and food,” Mr Mollomini said.

“I lived down the road in the 2011 floods. We’ve had water come up a couple of times but nothing like this in a while.”

Mr Mollomini’s neighbour along the river Barry Bardy said he lost all of his expensive belongings in the flood water, including the boat he just spent $3000 on fixing.

“Everything downstairs — all my tools, my boat, my f----ing life,” he said.

Officials have confirmed there are more beds available for affected Ipswich residents at the Ipswich Showgrounds, should they need a place to evacuate to.