Flood victims reveal trauma and anxiety caused by Northern Rivers floods

The very sight of rain has caused those affected by floods to feel wary. Residents and experts share recounts of flood-related trauma. Hear their views.

With rain forecast for Northern New South Wales this Anzac weekend, for many in the region talk of bad weather brings feelings of anxiety.

Despite predictions that this weekends flooding will not impact flood hit towns like Lismore, psychologists say locals are likely to feel stressed or depressed at the sight of rain.

For Lismore residents, the very sight of rain triggers traumatic recounts of the 2022 flooding.

The flood has left mud – and lasting effects of depression and anxiety as residents desperately try and rebuild their ravaged town.

Nicole Sadler, a clinical psychologist working for Phoenix Australia with disaster impacted communities, says feelings of anxiety are “perfectly normal”.

“When people have been through something traumatic where they feel they've been at real danger, it’s normal that anything that resembles the event- or reminders of it – can bring up feelings of anxiety,” she explained.

For many in Lismore torn between rebuilding or moving away, this Anzac weekend will be far from relaxing.

“I worry – is it going to flood again?”

Ray Parry from Lismore is terrified of returning to the CBD.

The 67- year-old is autistic and said when it rains he feels anxious and worries about future floods.

He is a local artist and lost much of his prized work. A Go fund me page has been setup to support his recovery.

Ray Parry, 67 is struggling to cope after the major floods in Lismore, 2022.

“When it rains or I hear about storm events, I get worried … is it going to flood again?” Mr Parry said.

The idea of more flooding terrifies Mr Parry.

“I don’t think I would cope if I had to deal with it again,” he said.

He described the disaster as a “river tsunami”- as he watched the water engulf his home.

Mr Parry said seeing the damage from the floods still “triggers the memory.”

“I get agitated and want to go home when I go through town.”

“The sound of sirens brings it back”

Donna Walker, 50 who resides in South Lismore is dealing with a flu while trying to repair the damage.to her home

For Ms Walker, the sound of sirens “brings it back”.

“When it rains, we get a depressing feeling,” Ms Walker said.

She said there is confusion among the community around who to “trust” for accurate weather reporting.

“Do I listen to locals, or trust BOM?” she said.

Donna Walker, with her damaged home in the background said she feels flat. Picture: supplied.

She said she feels emotionally drained and dull.

“We’re not happy or sad – just flat. There is definitely PTSD,” Ms Walker said.

She said Covid and various colds are going around, causing further complications as residents try to rebuild.

“It’s still got to happen. I don’t know if the rain will be worse tomorrow.”

“I worry about our future”

Maddy-Rose Braddon is 27 and co-created Resilient Lismore, a page dedicated to aiding the community.

She said rain triggers an emotional response.

“When it rains I feel anxiety, and worry about what happened to my community seven weeks ago,” Ms Braddon said.

She said there is ongoing fear toward the future of their town.

Maddy-Rose Braddon, 27 is a Lismore resident who shared her experience with flooding trauma

“I worry about future climate disasters and how bad they will get if we don't see more government action on climate change,” she said.

“Our whole connection to our home has been disrupted, the place we love. It’s devastating.”

She is calling for future support.

“We need long term funding and support from government to continue.”