Bungawalbin: family trapped as floodwaters rise

Desperate pleas are being made for a helicopter to winch out a family with a nine-month-old baby trapped at a northern NSW property with nowhere to retreat but the roof as they are surrounded by rising flood waters.

A north coast business owner has made a desperate plea for a helicopter to winch out members of her family – including a nine-month-old baby – stranded in their home as floodwaters rise around them.

Anna Hamilton from Nectar Juice House in Cabarita in the state’s Tweed region has made an urgent appeal as her sister and her family are trapped in increasingly desperate conditions southwest of Ballina.Wa

Ms Hamilton’s sister and her family – comprising four adults, a 15-year-old, a 10-year-old, a two-year-old and a nine-month-old baby - are stuck in their property in Bungawalbin, a rural town 50 minutes southwest of Ballina.

The family is trapped in Bungawalbin. Picture: Google Maps

Ms Hamilton’s brother-in-law is on the roof making an SOS sign in hi-vis as reception deteriorates and the weather conditions worsen.

All eight expect to have to move to the roof together within half an hour due to rising floodwaters.

“Under their house it’s as fast as rapids, all of our cars are gone,” Ms Hamilton told the Lismore Northern Star.

“Water is closing in on them and the conditions are still severe.”

The family has desperately contacted the SES, helicopter companies and police with no option remaining but to be winched to safety as the property is underwater and the roof is curved – leaving no place to safely land.

“They will have to move to the roof for good in half an hour,” Ms Hamilton said.

“They are in a two storey house and the second floor is like rapids.”

CAN YOU HELP RESCUE MS HAMILTON’S FAMILY? PLEASE CONTACT [e-mail].