Woodburn floods as Richmond River engulfs town through the highway

A Woodburn resident says it is “like an April fool’s joke” as residents are left with an agonising wait as water in their town rises. See the incredible photos and videos coming out of the unique NSW town.

Woodburn has been through a hell of a lot.

After being told to evacuate, they were told it was safe to re-enter, until having to urgently evacuate by boat at 6.30am.

Just a week ago, the local pub “Rod n Reel” reopened.

Paul Stanley-Jones, 52, who has lived in the town for 16 years, said it was “one of the biggest nights” there.

“The spirit in the community was awesome, even people that usually don’t come out of their houses were there, it was a real good feeling,” Mr Stanley-Jones said.

Cruelly, just one week after a night of celebration, Woodburn is back to square one, after businesses “worked their butts off” to reopen.

‘Now they’re one metre underwater again,” he said.

The streets of Woodburn are under water after major flooding from the Richmond River for the second time in a month. Picture: Paul Stanley-Jones.

“It’s enough to knock everyone back.”

Mr Stanley-Jones managed to re-enter the town on foot on Friday morning after the evacuation orders to inspect his property.

“The water is roaring over the freeway into the town,” he said.

He said most of the shops on the south end are going, with water still rising.

Reports say it will peak at midnight tonight.

Paul Stanley-Jones, 52 with daughter Bella and wife Shelly have been through a lot.

“They keep knocking it back – I don’t know how they can be getting it so wrong,” he said.

Mr Stanley-Jones spent an hour in his house, inspecting the damage and after his hour, he said the water had risen a further half a foot.

“If they couldn't predict it peaking 2 days ago, why keep predicting it?” he said.

“It’s like an April fools joke. It’s cruel.”

Businesses were preparing to reopen after a tiresome and rigorous clean up effort, only to be flooded in once again. Photo: Paul Stanley-Jones

Mr Stanley-Jones said his property was bought 16 years ago “supposedly out of the flood zone.”

“I did everything to prepare this time – I lifted everything up stairs, thinking it’ll be safe,”

Since the previous floods, he travelled 600km from Southport to purchase 200 metres of gyprock, but hasn’t been able to install it.

“We've been through the drying process – cleaning the smell, the mould and mud,” he said.

He hasn’t been back to work since the previous floods, and will potentially be out of full-time work until June.

“We need trades and supplies. Most houses need everything but a roof – It’ll be near impossible,” he said.

Mr Stanley-Jones said he has been relying on himself, his brother and friends in the trade but said the biggest concern is for the elderly.

River Street in Woodburn has again become a river. Picture: Paul Stanley-Jones.

“They’re going back to live in their homes that are totally gutted. They have no job, no car, no possessions, no income and no house,” he said.

“Even temporary accommodation is starting is ‘kick them out’” he said.

Full of mould, mud and a foul stench, he said it is dangerous and unliveable.

He said premium insurance went up 3000 dollars in 2017 to cover flood insurance, and said he thinks “98 per cent of people in Woodburn don’t have insurance.”

Woodburn locals are in for a desperate wait, in the hopes they can soon return to the pub and enjoy a beer.