Grafton flooding update 2022: Clean up begins as some are left stranded

As floodwater recedes in some areas, Clarence residents have told of a new risk amid the clean-up as the huge cost of the disaster becomes clear.

The sun was a welcome respite for Grafton residents as they faced the clean up after an “endless” downfall.

The day started abruptly on Wednesday for South Grafton Through Street residents as water rose despite the river receding.

The Committee President of the Pelican Playhouse Theatre Company on Through Street, Mark Conaghan arrived to find rising water in the venue.

On Tuesday the group removed some of the more expensive items but returned the next day to find the waters had returned.

“We don’t know why it has come up again.

“Something else is going on with the drainage,” he said.

Mark Conaghan, the Committee President of the Pelican Playhouse Theatre Company, surveys water flooding the community theatre on Through Street, South Grafton.

Through Street resident and building owner David Page also questioned the source of the water.

“The water was local water when the river peaked and was about knee deep and was clean.

“Since then it has risen from knee deep up to chest deep presumably up through the sewers.

“I wouldn’t go into it now,” he said.

South Grafton resident Shane Griffiths lives nearby the low lying area behind Ryan Street. The water went straight through the bottom of his home and through his yard. The family had to move quickly to save their dog, puppies and rabbits.

“It just kept raining and the water came up so quickly.

“It didn’t stop,” he said.

Mr Griffiths is uninsured and hopes council will assist with the clean up and removal of rubbish.

President of South Grafton Aerodrome Committee and President of the South Grafton Aero Club Bob King and Clement Aero owner Peter Clement have been forced to get in a tinnie in order to check on their premises.

Mr King said they have been checking on two uninsured gliders from the 60s and also had to deal with a brown snake and a lock covered in spiders as they try to escape the water.

President of South Grafton Aerodrome Committee and President of the South Grafton Aero Club Bob King about to get in his tinnie to go and assess the damage at both locations.

Mr Clement has been checking on aeroplanes and is working on retrieval of parts.

“I’ve spoken to an aviation technician and have dried some of the components.

“But from the floor height to the water is 840ml,” he said.

Back in Grafton, Dr Andrew Terrey’s residence right next to the levy on Dovedale Street has been spared from flooding once again.

“We are the highest set house in town but we have the levy wall at the back and it was pretty close.

“Grafton’s pretty well organised for flooding but we have all the ponding here because the rain kept going,” Mr Terrey said.

Further out from Grafton, Trisha Wicks, from Alumy Creek was fearing for the worst as she evacuated her cattle.

Mrs Wicks has lived at Alumy Creek for 27 years and said “this is the biggest flood we’ve seen”.

She said residents were underprepared for the flooding, due to the slow but sustained rainfall.

“People weren’t thinking it was going to be this big,” she said.

Trisha Wicks cleans up the weed left from the Clarence River flooding on 2 March. Picture: Matt Gazy

Her property is placed right on the Clarence river.

“It was endless, but it was a slow flood. It came up slowly, and it’s going down slowly,” she said.

Her property is now filled with the debris of the deluge, with hyacinths scattered along her yard.

“Then today comes and you start the clean. You clean and you clean,” Mrs Wicks said.

Joe Austin prepares for the clean up. Picture: Matt Gazy

Joe Austin lost sixteen and a half hectares of soybeans.

“We won't know the extent of the damage for another six to twelve months,” Mr Austin said.

“Everybody’s affected – the whole community is affected. We’ve had the drought, fires and now the floods,” he said.

Mr Austin said the community came together to save people and animals trapped.

“It’s a good mob here.”

He said one of the most difficult elements in the clean-up is washed up mud and weeds.

“After a flood, you need just as much rain to wash away the mud,” he said.

David English in Seelands, near Grafton on 2 March. Picture: Matt Gazy

David English remained positive as he drove through flood waters in his land cruiser to help people.

At one stage he assisted his pregnant friend.

“I live for this,” Mr English said.

Mr English said it was a combination of heavy rainfall and the Clarence river flooding that caused the damage.

“We were inundated with rain even before the river came up, so the areas were already full,”

“When it rolls in, it rolls in fast,” he said.

Rocky Creek bridge was heavily damaged by flood waters. Picture: David English

“The ferocity of the water was phenomenal. The creeks I knew growing up were all full,” Mr English said.

He works as a mower and is currently out of work.

“Most businesses were closed over the week,” he said.

Mr English said he worried about those who are currently landlocked, unable to get basic food and water from the town.

“Some of them are left stranded. I deliver some milk and bread for them with my truck.”