‘Heartbreaking’: Urgent plea from charities in flood disaster zones

Frontline workers in flood disaster zones have issued an urgent plea, while a 42-year-old woman’s body has been found in Queensland.

Australians desperate to do the right thing and help those who have been left with nothing in the wake of devastating floods are being asked to reconsider what they donate.

With flood warnings and evacuation orders still active in parts of NSW, Queenslanders impacted by the flooding which claimed 11 lives are beginning the clean up.

The eleventh death was confirmed by Queensland Police on Saturday afternoon, after divers recovered the 42-year-old woman’s body in water at Mudgeeraba.

She had been reported missing on March 1 after last being seen on February 27 .

Around the country, social media has been inundated with appeals from flood victims and charities for support, but GIVIT Australia has urged people to consider what and how they donate.

Sharing “heartbreaking” pictures of piles of donated goods in the wake of the 2019 north Queensland floods, the organisation says people are better off donating money that will go directly to fund what flood victims need, rather than clothes and other goods that go unused.

Charities are pleading with Australians not to donate clothes and other material goods in the wake of the floods, asking instead for monetary donations.

The organisation said the unused donations from 2019 had been “destined for landfill” and “hindered recovery efforts”, and said at present moment, charities were being overwhelmed with donations “they do not need”.

“(Instead) by donating to GIVIT’s Storms and Flooding appeal instead, you are doing an extraordinary thing,” the organisation said in an Instagram post.

“You are meeting the urgent requests of charities and support organisations on the ground, helping flood battered Queensland and NSW residents to: begin the clean up by funding their cleaning supplies; receive department store vouchers for clothes, toiletries and baby supplies; and get them back on their feet with exactly what they need, when they need it.

“Best of all, you are letting local charities, councils and support organisations focus on their jobs – providing essential services.”

GIVIT said they were working with the Queensland and NSW governments to ensure money raised through their fundraiser went directly to charities and organisations that would help victims.

A flooded backyard of a house in Windsor, NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The Mud Army 2.0 hit the flooded areas of Brisbane to help with the clean up. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Victoria

Victorians have been put on high alert as severe thunderstorms and flash flooding threaten to batter the state.

While Victoria will escape the “rain bomb” that has devastated the northern states, heavy falls are predicted for Melbourne and surrounding areas on Saturday.

A minor flood warning has been issued for the Snowy River, and a flood watch has been flagged for the Bemm, Cann and Genoa catchments.

The warnings come after the state copped a drenching on Friday, prompting hundreds of State Emergency Services call-outs.

Flood and building damages made up a large portion of the 238 calls for assistance.

More rain is forecast for southern parts of Victoria on Saturday, after hundreds of SES calls were received late on Friday.

Western Sydney is among the three key areas the SES is concerned about on Saturday, as more rain is forecast into next week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

NSW

There are 28 active evacuation orders across NSW, with the State Emergency Services focusing their attention on flooding in the Northern Rivers, western Sydney, as well as the Central Coast.

There is also potential for flooding in the Mid-North Coast.

Despite a brief reprieve from the rain, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned of more heavy falls and thunderstorms from Sunday, which will cause prolonged moderate to major flood levels on the state’s rivers.

Among the warnings is the Richmond River at Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn, with residents told to leave by 2.30am on Saturday.

Moderate flooding is also likely along the Macintyre River downstream of Holdfast, the Bureau has warned.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected from Sunday until Tuesday across parts of the Hawkesbury-Napean Valley, extending into the Hunter, Paterson, Williams, Gloucester and Manning River catchments.

The Bureau has warned of potential renewed river rises in areas already impacted by flooding.

Major flooding continues at North Richmond and at Gostwyck Bridge in the Lower Hunter.

Premier Dominic Perrottet will visit hard-hit Lismore in the state’s north on Saturday morning.

The ‘Mud Army 2.0’ will resume their efforts on Saturday as the clean up from the floods continues. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Queensland

In southeast Queensland, the Mud Army 2.0 has been given the green light to resume clean up.

About 13,000 volunteers were expected to be out-and-about in Brisbane and the southeast on Saturday, hosing out mud and helping move heavy items on to the street ahead of forecasted showers on Saturday afternoon.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner called for anyone available to get out and join the effort.

“It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation in areas right across Brisbane … Let’s get Brisbane back to the way we know and love again,” Mr Schrinner said.

An upper-level system is expected to move in, and enhance thunderstorm activity towards Sunday.

Along the coast, a hazardous surf warning has been issued for the Gold Coast, with swells of up to two metres pushing in.

Some beaches on the Sunshine Coast are open, but swimmers and surfers are being urged to consider their actions, with debris and water quality issue causing havoc along the coast.

The state’s death toll stands at ten, while two people remain unaccounted for.

More flooding is expected across the weekend in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper