NSW floods: Faces of our deadly disaster

A total of nine people have died in the NSW flood disaster. Five of these victims were from Lismore, three from Sydney and one from the Central Coast. Here are their stories.

NSW residents are in the midst of a clean up for one of the state’s most tragic widespread flooding events on record, which have this week been declared a national emergency.

The Northern Rivers region and Greater Western Sydney were among the worst hit areas affected by the floodwaters and wild weather.

Lismore has recorded 70-year floodwater records and the second highest daily rainfall total on record in NSW.

From evacuation orders dam spills and road closures, the disaster in someway impacted most of NSW.

Some lost everything in the 1 in 1000 year flood event, with some properties swept away in water streams and landslides.

An aerial image of the flooding in Lismore. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Emergency Services rescue a man from the centre of Lismore after heavy flooding in town.

Over half a million people were under evacuation orders from emergency services in response to what was first described as “a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions”.

The relentless rain bomb and resulting flood claimed its first fatality on Thursday, February 24, and hundreds were rescued the following week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, March 9, declared the NSW floods a national emergency after a total of nine deaths.

Five of the NSW flood victims were from Lismore, three from Sydney and one from the Central Coast. Here are their stories:

Swiftwater rescue crews rescue a man from the Uniting Church steps in Keens Street, Lismore.

SES crews rescue people who were stranded in the houses in North Lismore.

MARGE GRAHAM

Lismore country singer and local “icon” Marge Graham was found dead in South Lismore on Tuesday, March 2.

The search for Marge began following her neighbour’s concern for her welfare.

The neighbour discovered Marge’s body in her home.

The 82-year old was a familiar face within the community, having founded The Cedar Guitar Country Music Festival, hosted the Country Breakfast show on the local radio station River FM92.9 and performed regularly at nursing homes.

“Most people know her as a country music star and she’s a Lismore icon, but for us we knew her as family,” friend Susan Mills told The Daily Telegraph.

Singer Marge Graham, backed by Kay Ritchings, was a real hit with the crowds on the country music scene.

LORRAINE HYMAN

Lorraine Hyman tragically passed away after succumbing to flood waters in her home.

The 84-year old was found in her Lismore residence on Tuesday, March 2, after a member of the public had visited to check on her welfare. T

he search for Ms Hyman was sparked by concerns raised on Facebook community groups for her safety from family members.

The Lismore local was one of two deaths recorded on the tragic Tuesday.

Ms Hyman was described by relatives as“such a private and quiet person”.

Stuart Bock was volunteering before he was found dead.

STUART BOCK

Stuart Bock’s death was confirmed via a Facebook post from family, stating that his body had been located in flood waters in the Lismore CBD on Wednesday, March 3.

The 56-year old was volunteering in Lismore, assisting the community with sandbagging in what is considered one of Australia’s worst natural disasters.

Mr Bock was described as having a ‘heart of gold’ by daughters Crystal and Amanda who raised concern for their father after having not heard from him since the previous Sunday.

HEMALATHASOLHYR AND BRAMOOTH SATCHITHANANTHAM

Two bodies were found on Tuesday, March 9 are believed to be mother and son Hemalathasolhyr and Bramooth Satchithanantham.

Concern was raised for the Satchithananthams, after their abandoned Mazda 3 was located in a stormwater canal at Wentworthville.

Cumberland Police Commander Detective Superintendent Paul Devaney confirmed the car had crashed into the Coopers Creek Canal on Monday, March 8, after travelling down the Cumberland Highway.

Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham.

Bramooth Satchithanantham.

The pair believed to be the 67 year-old woman and her 34 year-old son, were discovered in the creek near Hopkins Street.

“My heart goes out to the family and to the community. This is a mother, who we suspect is a mother, and a son. The mother was devoted to her 34-year-old son. It’s just a tragedy for all involved,” said Detective Superintendent Devaney.

Xianbin Liu went missing from flood waters in Sydney’s west.

XIANBIN LIU

Sydney delivery driver Xianbin Liu’s body was discovered in floodwaters in Sydney’s west.

The 50-year old Beverly Hills man went missing on Tuesday, March 9 after leaving work for the day in Greendale.

A search for the driver was organised after he failed to show up to work the following morning.

Mr Liu is the latest victim of the NSW floods.

The identities of the remaining three victims have not been published.

Among these victims is a man from South Lismore, aged 72, a 54 year-old man from Matcham on the Central Coast of NSW and a man from Byrrill Creek, 51.