Mullumbimby local Kathy McMorrow suffers double whammy in flood heartbreak

A flood tore through Kathy McMorrow’s Mullumbimby house and she began the agonising process of recovery. Then a dehumidifier fire burnt it down.

Mullumbimby local Kathy McMorrow had just spent the last 12 days in heartbreaking clean up after floodwaters tore through the house she watched her four children grow up in.

From her porch, she texted her sister Mo McMorrow that there was a “bit of normality” returning to her New City Rd address as she took a break.

Three hours later, a dehumidifier caught fire, burning down the two front rooms and covering salvaged remains with extensive smoke damage.

For her sister Mo the double tragedy was “unfathomable” and “cruel”.

She said Kathy had been staying at her home on the other side of Mullumbimby when the flooding began, trapping her two children at home alone.

In shock, Kathy tried to keep the calm at home until phones cut out.

“There was a sense of doom,” she said.

“We heard stories of what was happening around the hills which was devastating but we were in a state of ‘aren’t we lucky’.”

Kathy assesses fire and flood damage in her Mullumbimby home. Picture: Mo McMorrow

She said it was only when waters receded did the two sisters realise water had reached waist height on the ground level of Kathy’s home and knee level the next level up.

Rotted walls had to be cut at the bottom third and furniture and belongings were tossed.

Photos from Kathy’s days as a Canadian Olympic-qualifying gymnast and other treasured memories were left to be hopefully salvaged.

“My sister is very resilient but she was in shock,” Mo said.

“That’s when she started becoming overwhelmed … she had just finished renovating those front two rooms.”

Kathy’s family, including her two parents in their 80s had pitched in, and they were only down the road for minutes when the horrific fire then broke out.

Heartbreak as Kathy McMorrow's Mullumbimby home is hit by floods and then a fire caused by a dehumidifier. Picture: Mo McMorrow

Front windows were blown out and the rest of the house was smoke damaged.

“The room the fire started in is burnt out, and there is smoke damage through the rest of the house,” Mo said.

“It looks like they’ll have to tear down the front two rooms of the house, except the kitchen and bathroom.”

To make matters worse, Kathy’s insurance company had not renewed her policy in December, and not expecting a “gut-wrenching” double disaster she had let it slip through the cracks.

Mo said her sister was guilt-ridden and exhausted.

“She said she’s been crying easy lately,” Mo said.

“My sister isn’t the type to go around crying.”

Kathy McMorrow’s flood savaged treasures, including photos from her time as a gymnast, were later damaged by smoke. Picture: Mo McMorrow.

Ms McMorrow said the tragedy couldn’t have happened to someone with a stronger moral compass- and Kathy was even letting tenants in a separate property remain while she sought accommodation elsewhere.

“Everyone who knows her loves her,” Mo said.

“She’s warm and honest to a fault.

“Everyone has asked ‘but how could it happen to Kathy’”.

While previous owners told Kathy the house didn’t have asbestos, testing has confirmed the presence of the dangerous material.

“You would think that a fire situation would make it a priority,” Mo said.

“They all seem concerned about the danger and health hazards but with no help to offer.”

With building updates continually adding up and a lack of qualified asbestos removalists, Mo was asking for help to make a drop in the bucket of her sister’s recovery.

She said the campaign was launched by herself with her sister just as worried about other’s recovery.

“I have one mission in life and this is it,” she said.

“I want to help my sister.

“(To donate) would just mean everything.”

Mo was asking people to share the campaign even if they couldn’t donate to the fundraiser which can be found here.

Anyone with asbestos removalist skills are also encouraged to reach out via Mo’s number 0483 892 546.