Communities ravaged by NSW floods plead for help

They’ve got mud up to their knees and they’re at a loss about what to do next, but what these devastated NSW communities desperately need now is “big support”.

As flood waters begin to recede, more than 30,000 people remain cut off and devastated communities like Wingham on the Mid-North Coast are crying out for help.

Emotional NSW Nationals MP Tanya Thompson said the people in Myall Lakes constituency needed help and support quickly.

“We have just come back from Wingham and that’s like nothing I have ever seen before,” she said.

“We need some crews here. We need them here fast. Big crews, big support.

“There is mud up to our knees in Wingham.”

Leslie Rakwa, Solo Wala and Joseph Magalu help clear homes of flood-damaged items in Wingham. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Ms Thompson, who was praised by NSW Premier Chris Minns as “incredibly tough and very resilient”, said the local football teams had come out to clean up and support elderly residents.

“But we cannot do it on our own,” she said.

Rural Fire Service volunteer Lorraine Stair has been working 12-hour days to help clean properties in Wingham. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“We need all levels of government to come in and really wrap around us and support us quickly. We cannot wait.”

People in Wingham were still recovering from the 2021 floods when the rains hit.

Wayne Hodges, 62, was unable to act when he saw water levels rise three meters to the balcony of the cladded home he built on two storeys.

After suffering with an infected ankle from the floods of 2021, he still has not recovered.

“I was paralysed. I couldn’t do anything, I’m still injured from the last time, the infection has now spread into my bones and I need to have surgery,” he said.

“I just stood on my balcony and watched the water come up. It was horrible watching everyone’s belongings float down the river.

“I’m a stubborn bugger. I wouldn’t leave my home because last time we had looters and I want to protect my property.”

He was visited by his daughter, Emma Wilson-Hodges, and granddaughters Rihanna Sant, 13, Amelia Sant, 11, and Kaleah Potter, six, after they saw the floods on the television news.

Wayne Hodges with grandchildren Rihanna Sant, 13, Amelia Sant, 11, and Kaleah Potter, 6. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“I wanted to help pop because I could see there were rocks and lots of mud everywhere and mum was stressed about poppy being home alone and said we needed to help,” Rihanna said.

Mother of three Emma Benson, 32, was joined by SES volunteers, volunteer firefighters and family friend Ian Minett, 73, to help clear her three-bedroom brick house from tons of mud and debris.

“I’m just lost about what to do next,” the therapeutic house manager for youth said.

“We bought the house before it flooded in 2021 when I was told water levels came up to the skirting board.

“We never expected it to flood again. We were told it was a once in a lifetime thing.

“This time, water levels rose to the kitchen table.

“We put all our belongings on the tables, the fridges, the microwave, cooker, everything. But the water was so strong, it pushed everything over.

“We were refused flood insurance because of the area but we love living in Wingham and now it’s happened again. We’re wondering whether we should sell up and leave.”

Water levels at Usha and Reg Harris’ property on East Combined St, Wingham, surpassed the 1929 record of six metres.

An R2D2 statue has washed up to Reg Harris’ Wingham home. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“Everything’s gone. It’s a hell of a lot worse than in 2021,” Mr Harris said.

“It’s disheartening. The water from the river at the back of the house threw the fridges upside down to the front doors of the house blocking the entrance.”

Insurance companies have received 3600 claims across the rain-impacted areas of NSW, with 80 per cent for personal property.

Those numbers are expected to increase as people return to their homes.

Reg Harris’ Wingham home is full of mud. Picture: Thomas Lisson

NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Mike Wassing said 276 damage assessment teams were on the ground to look at an estimated 10,000 flood-damaged properties.

More than 3000 assessments have been done, with more than 300 properties found to be uninhabitable.

“As the water recedes, we are only now starting to see the true scale of the devastation communities are dealing with,” he said.

“We are carrying out rapid assessments and working with communities to wash and clean out properties where it is safe to do so, but with 10,000 properties impacted this will take time.”

Mid Coast Council Mayor Claire Pontin said 300 SES volunteers were on their way from Victoria to help clean up, but she was unsure exactly what help was coming.

“What we’re waiting on is to find word from government as to how many people, and who’s going to come and help us”, she said on Facebook.

More than 1200 homes remained without power around Taree and Kempsey on Sunday night.

Sydney’s Warragamba Dam reached capacity and began spilling in the early hours of Sunday.

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Originally published as Communities ravaged by NSW floods plead for help