Gold Coast weather and flooding today: How to claim disaster payments, road closures, how you can help
Gold Coasters are rolling up their sleeves to help their flood-stricken neighbours over the border, with many familiar faces also joining the call to arms. ROAD CLOSURES + HOW TO HELP
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Flood coverage: Sadly the freak storms have turned deadly on the Gold Coast after a man in his 50s was found drowned in his car with his dog.
Though the storms have largely passed, efforts now turn toward the mammoth clean-up now facing flood-hit residents across South East Queensland and Northern NSW.
Check here for how to claim disaster payments if you’ve been affected.
Thousands of Gold Coasters are rolling up their sleeves to help their flood-stricken neighbours across the border, with many familiar faces also joining the call to arms.
The team behind Village Roadshow’s Australian Outback Spectacular in recent days helped relocate 23 horses who were stranded in waist-deep water at a Ballina property.
With the aerial support of Sea World Helicopters, the team of eight stockpeople and a vet gained access to the area before safely guiding the animals to a neighbouring property.
Australian Outback Spectacular general manager Shane Phillips said he was relieved the mission had a happy ending.
“We had been in contact with the property owner who advised the horses had been stranded for two days without freshwater and access to food,” he said.
“We timed the operation to align with low-tide but there were still some areas where the water was waist-to-neck deep.”
The inspiring tale is just one of many from the ordeal – world champion surfers Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge also dedicating their time to helping with civilian rescues and ferrying much-needed supplies.
“We were just going down (flooded) streets a lot of the time and if you had a spare 20 seconds or so, people would just be sending us addresses,” Fanning told the ABC.
“It was really hectic, but we just tried to get to as many people as possible.
“We’re just trying to do what we can with the resources we have.”
Their efforts bolstered by the support of friends and family working tirelessly at Tweed Boat Harbour to co-ordinate those crucial donations.
“People in those areas have just been so cut off,” he said.
“In saying that we still need heaps more food and water and fuel as well, because fuel’s been cut off. We need more hands on deck too.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Donate supplies
- Assist with ferrying supplies
- Volunteer for clean-up
- Shelter displaced animals
- Evacuate flooded-in residents
- Accommodate flood victims
- Donate non-perishable food
- Financial donations
- Skilled workers
SUPPLIES NEEDED
- Non-perishable food/baby food, formula
- Canned pet food, bedding
- Clean drinking water
- Cleaning supplies
- Fuel in jerry cans
- Clothing: baby, child, adult
- Toiletries, toilet paper
- Children’s toys
DONATE/VOLUNTEER
- In need of drivers, Cornerstone Stores, Currumbin
- Donations drop-off, 56-60 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters
- Volunteers needed, Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Mullumbimby
- Volunteers needed, 7th Day Adventist Church, Kingscliff
- Supplies needed, C3 Church Banksia Drive, Byron Bay
- Volunteers needed, Murwillumbah Art Precint, Murwillumbah
- Supplies needed, Murwillumbah Tafe, Murwillumbah
- Donations needed, Murwillumbah Police Station, Murwillumbah
- Volunteers needed, Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre, Lismore
- Volunteers needed, Southern Cross University, Lismore
- Non-perishable meals needed, Lismore Base Hospital, Lismore
- Donations needed, Newry Community Hall,
- Donate money, The Salvation Army, visit salvationarmy.org.au
- Donate money, Red Cross Flood Appeal, visit www.redcross.org.au/floodsappeal
- Supplies, financial donations, Vinnies, visit vinnies.org.au/floodappeal
‘They need it more’: Flood victim’s almighty spirit in trying times
It was 4am Monday when long-time Elanora resident Wayne Knott realised his street was flooding amid torrential downpours that inundated the Gold Coast.
His Kentia Court home, shared with wife, Lynne, has previously been surrounded by floodwaters in their 28 years living at the property – but never anything like this.
“By 5.30am our property was pretty much under,” Mr Knott told the Bulletin, describing how rapidly the murky brown waters took over their home.
“Our street’s flooded before and the water has reached the doorstep, probably around about 2013, but it’s never made it inside.”
The couple, along with their beloved pooch, evacuated shortly after using boat and paddleboard. They returned to their home the following day to survey the damage.
“When we were evacuating, my wife put a towel down at the door to try and stop the water from coming in,” he laughed.
“All the flooring is gone, our white goods, the airconditioning. It got the bathrooms and into the cabinets, too. There’s a lot of damage.”
Their backyard pool is also now a contaminated pond.
That won’t stop Mr Knott from looking on the bright side – living proof of the unbreakable Queensland spirit – saying he’s “overwhelmed” at the display of community spirit.
“It’s been amazing, we’ve had people we don’t even know stop by and ask if they can help us clean up,” Mr Knott said.
Much like thousands of displaced Queenslanders, the couple must now wait for their insurance provider to survey the property.
The couple is still residing at their home despite a familiar stench: “Our insurance offered us emergency accommodation but we can live here. Other people need it more.”
Busted plugga hero rescue: How you can help disaster recovery
March 3: The weather crisis has brought out the best and worst in humanity as Gold Coasters roll up their sleeves to help the clean-up effort as others warn of flood donation scams.
Good Samaritan James Ross-Munro, who went viral in 2016 after he thwarted a robbery with “busted plugga”, has been madly collecting essentials for families in northern NSW.
HOW TO CLAIM DISASTER PAYMENTS >>
“From what I am hearing, little towns in northern NSW like Woodburn and Coraki are being forgotten about and the state of the towns is horrendous,” the Carrara man said.
“In true Aussie spirit, this is the time we all have to pitch in to help our mates in need.
“Going out and buying $50 worth of groceries is not a big ask and will be a game-changer for our mates in need.”
Mr Ross-Munro, his two-year-old son Fraser and their friends will be setting off to Coraki and surrounding towns to deliver the essentials on Friday afternoon.
If you would like to donate food, bottled water, toiletries, clothes and nappies, call 0452 218 544 for the drop-off address.
Tallai man Gordon Watson has also started a Facebook group to co-ordinate a volunteer clean-up effort.
The Gold Coast Mud Army 2022 group has grown to more than 700 members since it was created three days ago.
“If you want to join the group and you’ve got a few hours spare or if you need help yourself, join the group and be part of the online community,” Mr Watson said.
Northern NSW MP Sonia Hornery has urged people to be cautious of reported “scam online donations being set up”.
The Wallsend MP said donating to legitimate charities would ensure money goes to the right place.
“The scenes out of Lismore and the north coast are heartbreaking. Some people have lost everything,” she said.
“Some people will use natural disasters to scam people who want to help.”
Equipped Concreting is donating a truck to help anyone delivering essentials to flooded areas. Phone 0414 355 201 to get in touch.
To donate to those affected by the floods, visit: givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding
MASSIVE CLEAN-UP BILL, WORST IS OVER MAYOR SAYS
MARCH 1: Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the city has dodged a bullet after severe weather caused extreme flooding – despite estimating a $10m clean-up bill.
Cr Tate joined transport officials on an aerial survey of the Gold Coast at 11am on Tuesday.
He said the city was still suffering from the wild weather but compared to the rest of south east Queensland the Gold Coast was in good condition.
Cr Tate estimated the impact from the weather will cost council no more than $10m but will have a better idea when flooding decreases.
“The amount of water, especially in the two valleys in Currumbin and Tallebudgera have reseeded quite a bit.” he said.
“For the north, the dams are still full and there’s still a fair bit of run offs, so it’ll be a couple of days until we see water retreating to the point that we can fix up the roads.
“As a city we have dodged a bullet in comparison to Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
The only remaining evacuation assembly point is Ormeau and the Pimpama sand bagging station remains open until 6pm.
The City Council’s major infrastructure such as sewerage plants and treatment plants, continue to function with no damage.
Cr Tate said it was great to see the community come together to help those in need and the city council will be providing services to those wanting to make insurance claims.
“Tomorrow we will get into recovery mode by helping people with insurance problems and assessing damaged goods,” he said.
He said clearing up the city’s beaches was low priority on the list because they had only received minor scarping.
THEN AND NOW: GOLD COAST FLOODING THROUGH THE YEARS >>
Cr Tate told the Bulletin: “It’s clear that access to a lot of properties north of the city will be difficult for the next three days because of inundation right across the cane fields.
“Crews are on standby to tackle these projects as soon as they can get access.”
Water in the Tallebudgera and Currumbin valleys has subsided and crews have already begun repairs.
None of the water treatment plants have been damaged however at least one Tallebudgera Valley bridge has been lost to floodwater.
Latest Bureau of Meteorology warnings have said the weather conditions are moving slowly south towards New South Wales, however river level rises are continuing.
Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said only 150 Queensland schools would remain closed on Wednesday – down from about 1000 on Monday.
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