Degarra man Ray Dark’s home washed away by flood waters

Bloomfield locals are coming to terms with the loss of a well-liked and respected community pillar after Ray Dark was washed away with his Degarra home by flood waters on Sunday.

Bloomfield locals are coming to terms with the loss of a well-liked and respected community pillar after Ray Dark was washed away with his Degarra home by flood waters on Sunday.

The 85-year-old Evergreen Rd resident was prepared for a major flood event following serious inundation of the area in 2019.

He had rigged up a pulley system to lift his white goods off the floor to keep them out of flood waters.

Pillar of the Bloomfield River community Ray Dark was washed away from his Degarra home by flood waters on Sunday and has not been seen since. Picture: Supplied

But despite his preparedness and plans to wait out the deluge in the loft of his home were not enough in the face of unprecedented river levels never seen before in living memory.

Bloomfield locals have reported Mr Dark’s home was totally washed away. He has not been seen since.

Fellow Degarra local Sue Holliday, said the retired refrigeration mechanic was well-known for his ingenuity and resourcefulness and was revered among the tight-knit community.

“Everybody over there loved Ray, he’s one of the (longest residents) he really had been around for a long time,” she said.

“He would do anything for you.”

The view from Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation's ranger base in Wujal Wujal following the recent flooding of the Bloomfield River.

Another Bloomfield local Tegan Diprose said Mr Dark helped out at the school with early childhood literacy and was a true stalwart of the community.

“He honestly was (a nice fella,)” she said.

“I know that the family has just put out a GoFundMe for Ray to try and help their family.”

On Wednesday police held grave concerns for Mr Dark, however couldn’t confirm on Friday that his body had been found on the beach at the mouth of the Bloomfield River.

“I believe there were reports on social media earlier of a body being located in the area, but those reports were unsubstantiated,” a Queensland Police Service spokesman said.

Police have now scaled down the search.

An extensive land and water search commenced, and the man’s home was located destroyed by floodwaters.

On Wednesday December 20 his vessel, a tinny, was located among debris near the mouth of the Bloomfield River.

Despite extensive search efforts utilising officers on foot, water police and aerial assets no further sign of the man has since been located with police holding grave concerns for his welfare.

Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius said the outcome was heartbreaking for the man’s friends, family, and the tight-knit local community.

“Despite tireless efforts by our crews, we have been unable to locate the man following this severe weather event,” Assistant Commissioner Schafferius said.

“As debris is cleared and river levels subside police will continue to monitor the area for any sign of him, and we hold hope that we can provide answers for his loved ones.”

Crowd-funding campaign organiser Amos Dick stated Mr Dark was a much-loved member of the Bloomfield community and will be missed by all.

To date about $600 has been raised to assist the family.

Follow @petercarruther1

Originally published as Degarra man Ray Dark’s home washed away by flood waters