NSW floods: Uki, Midginbil hit hard by major flooding

A tight-knit village at the base of a mountain on NSW’s far north coast is trying to rebuild after it was smashed by floods – with water limited, internet out and businesses in disarray.

The community in a tight-knight village on NSW’s far-north coast has banding together to confront the devastation left behind by northern NSW”s horror floods in recent days.

The town of Uki was cut off for days after being smashed by floodwaters, leaving their water supply cut off and businesses in disarray.

Uki is now the last town left in the Tweed without water, with tankers bringing in water for the town’s essential requirements.

But it will take more than water to rebuild, with Mt Warning Hotel among the businesses hit hard by floodwaters.

Uki Post Office owner Gary Wall said it had been an incredibly difficult week for the entire town.

“I have to thank our volunteers, and acknowledge the absolute trauma for people leaving their homes and driving out in the rain,” Mr Wall said.

“One of the most devastating things to see it the little kids shivering, being pulled out of the floodwaters and out of their homes.”

Gary Wall is the owner of Bastion Lane and the Uki post office. Picture: Liana Walker

Water remains limited and local food supplies were severely impacted by both floodwaters and power outages throughout the week.

Mr Wall also runs an espresso bar at the post office, which is a 112-year-old heritage-listed building in the heart of town.

The post office was spared the brunt of the floods, though some stock was damaged – yet eight neighbours from one house only just down the street had to be airlifted from their home due to the rising floodwaters.

“We couldn’t do coffee because the water’s not drinkable and we’re out of milk, plus the flood impacted on the delivery centre in Murwillumbah,” Mr Wall said.

“Telstra has been down, Optus only just got back up and running, the NBN is down, and the supermarket had to throw out a considerable amount of meat, yoghurts and other bits and pieces because they were spoiled.”

Mr Wall said the Mt Warning Hotel – one of the town’s most loved meeting places – went under several feet of water.

“In the floods five years ago water ended up at the doorstep but this time it went right under,” Mr Wall said.’

“But the community spirit is amazing, people have not hesitated to get down and dirty helping out, sweeping water out of the pub and helping clean up.”

Gary Wall is the owner of Bastion Lane and the Uki post office. Picture: Liana Walker

However, Mr Wall was optimistic the community would rise above the devastation that has beset the town’s homes and businesses.

“The community got together and did it, and we will be able to overcome this,” Mr Wall said.

“The mental strain on people will start to show, we’ve not even recovered from Covid yet, so it would be great if the government got out and gave us some more help – this has devastated so many people.”