NSW floods: Aerial photos reveal Ballina’s heartache amid fourth death
The historic flooding crisis that has taken four lives in Lismore is now being played out in Ballina with countless rescues. Our reporter tells her own story from the evacuation zone. Watch the video
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The historic flooding crisis that has hit Lismore is now being played out in Ballina with countless rescues.
Our reporter, Tessa Flemming, who has herself been evacuated, tells the story in the video above.
Reporting from her car, she considers herself one of the lucky ones after getting out with basic belongings.
Aerial footage has shown the heartbreaking scenes as Ballina residents saw their homes go under.
Flood rescues have been unfolding in Ballina and surrounds at a “tremendous” rate, according to the NSW State Emergency Service.
The area around Woodburn also is experiencing major flooding.
In Lismore, the grim search for bodies continues with a fourth person found.
Jim Fuggle from Ballina’s SES unit said the town was “extensively flooded”.
Some surrounding areas, especially those to the south of the river, are also impacted.
“The rise of the water seems to have slowed but at the same time … flows are still increasing,’’ Mr Fuggle said.
He said there was no access to Ballina from the south and it's “very limited” from Lennox Head, but urged people not to return to the town for any reason.
Even if floodwaters recede throughout the day, there’s a potential for river heights to rise again with a further influx from upstream catchments and tidal movements.
“We’ve seen a lot of traffic coming from Lennox Head for some reason,” he said.
“I just want to reiterate for no one to come into Ballina for any reason whatsoever.”
Northern NSW Local Health District Acting Chief Executive Lynne Weir said all 55 patients were evacuated and patient care remained in place at Xavier Catholic College.
“At this stage, water levels have not reached the hospital,” she said.
“Maintenance crews have been on site since early this morning to assess any potential damage or impacts on infrastructure and systems.
“Northern NSW Local Health District will continue to work closely with the SES and hope to be soon in a position to provide further advice to patients, their families and the community about when it may be safe for patients to return to the hospital.”
Ambulances are being diverted to Byron Central Hospital and if residents can reach it, the hospital should be a first option.
A makeshift emergency department is available at Xavier Catholic College for anyone unable to travel outside the area.
Ms Weir said families had been contacted on Tuesday night.
“Health staff have worked incredibly hard overnight to transfer patients, together with
Ambulance, SES and NSW Police personnel,” Ms Weir said.
“I want to praise our clinicians, logistics and support staff who have been amazing – keeping our patients safe and making this challenging operation a success.”
Mr Fuggle said there had been lots of people in trouble in the Ballina CBD and surrounds.
“We have been performing flood rescues at a tremendous rate and I would expect that having a look at the figures we’d be … over 100 easily,” he said.
“We have our Ballina SES unit members, we have Ballina unit special flood rescue crews, we have SES members from other areas of NSW specialising in flood rescue.”
He said Surf Life Saving members were helping with their equipment and boats. “We have the Army with a vehicle that’s capable of going through a large amount of water,” he said.
Morning, #Ballina. 😓 My view from the chopper. Parts of the CBD under water.
— Jason Om (@jason_om) March 1, 2022
Full coverage tonight. #abc730#auspol#nswfloodspic.twitter.com/qad1ojLePZ
“We have, in addition to that, in areas particularly south of Ballina – in Pimpico, Keith Hall, Patches Beach areas, we have had numerous rescues by helicopter in excess of 60 people today.
He said while active calls seemed to had tailed off in the hour to about 11am, there have been surges of pleas for help in Ballina and surrounds.
“We're still expecting further water coming from Lismore, Kyogle, Casino and we expect there may be some affectation throughout the day where flood levels may rise and fall,” he said.
“What we're saying is do not leave the evacuation centres and just return home.
“Do now breach the evacuation order just because you see some change in the level of the water.”
He said the flooding was unprecedented for Ballina. “This incident is a historic incident,” he said.
“No one in living memory has seen an incident in any way comparable to this.”
‘TODAY’S GOING TO BE HARDEST DAY IN LISMORE’S HISTORY
Lismore is bracing for another heart wrenching day as emergency crews undertake the grim task of searching properties for more fatalities.
So far two fatalities, both women in their 80s, have been confirmed in Lismore.
Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said Fire and Rescue crews were undertaking the unenviable task of searching flood-affected homes and businesses for more people who may have been trapped.
"Today's going to be probably the hardest day in Lismore's history to be honest with you," Mr Krieg said.
"Today's all about rescue and recovery."
He said search and rescue teams were currently making their way through buildings in the town
"That's happening as we speak," he said.
"My message on the weekend was to prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
MAYOR’S FURY AS LOOTERS HIT FLOOD TOWN
Sadly, Mr Krieg said there had already been arrests as a result of looting, while an 100 extra police officers were being sent up to the town to assist.
"I'm an advocate to increase the punishments for these thugs," he said.
"Anyone that thinks it's okay to take advantage of people at their most vulnerable times deserve (jail time)." Mr Krieg, who owns multiple businesses in the town, has been personally affected by the flood.
But he said he was focusing on his role as a community leader.
"I can't let emotion get in the way of what I'm doing at the moment," he said.
"As soon as I stop and think about what I've lost I'll be a blubbering mess."
He said the efforts of rescuers had been crucial.
"It was an amazing effort on Monday; I was down on the riverbank myself lifting people and babies out of boats and elderly people," he said.
"Unfortunately with so many community rescues, we really have lost track of who's who and where they are and that's why we have to go through every single room and every single house cavity."
TWINS BORN AFTER FLOOD RESCUE FROM STRANGERS
A Tanglewood man separated from his wife in flooding has managed to get to hospital in time to see his twins born thanks to an act of kindness from strangers.
Stranded in his home with no power, no reception and floodwaters rising, Jochen Schiach was fearful he was going to miss the birth of his new twins.
Knowing the babies were due and the rains were on the way Mr Schiach, 35, and wife Phoebe Golden, 32, headed to the Tweed Heads Hospital Sunday night to ensure she was able to give birth safely.
A friend put the word out he was trying to get to the hospital and soon a boat had been arranged with three strangers waiting at the end of his street ready to reunite him with his wife.
See the heartwarming story here
CONCERNS FOR WILSON AND RICHMOND RIVERS
Most rivers around the Northern Rivers are starting to fall after peaking on Monday afternoon, however the weather bureau is warning the Wilsons and Richmond Rivers could rise again with rainfall forecast in the next 24 to 48 hours.
This situation is being closely monitored and additional warnings will be issued as necessary.
Flooding along the Tweed River has continued to ease.
Levels at Tumbulgum and Chinderah have fallen to moderate flood level and to minor at Murwillumbah.
Flood levels around the Wilson River at Lismore remain moderate and falling, however Coopers Creek at Ewing Bridge Corndale is still rising.
The Richmond River levels at Coraki, Bungawalbyn and Woodburn are above the March 2017, March 1974 and February 1954 peaks.
Flood levels are slowly easing on the river, which goes out to sea at Ballina, with minor flooding continuing in Casino.
DEATH TOLL RISES AS ELDERLY WOMAN FOUND
The death toll from New South Wales’ floods has risen to two with the discovery of another woman’s body in a home, as Ballina residents have been ordered to leave rising waters.
The latest victim was aged in her 80s and found inside a South Lismore home.
NSW Police said the body was found about 3.30pm on Tuesday as officers attended a home on Casino Street.
She is yet to be formally identified.
In Queensland there have been nine deaths from the floods and authorities fear more people could be found in NSW in coming days as flood waters recede.
HAPPENING NOW: Karl is on the ground in #Ballina, where the SES has issued emergency warnings over "life-threatening" flood levels in the next few hours.
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) March 1, 2022
Latest #floods coverage, live on Channel 9 and at https://t.co/PCMsYM5WPF. pic.twitter.com/7Wmso3iEiE
BALLINA RESIDENTS WATCH RISING WATERS
In Ballina, residents have spent an anxious night wondering whether the terrifying scenes they have seen around Lismore will be inflicted on them as waters from the one-in-500-year flood event heard their way.
The wait comes as Sydney faces its own extreme rain event.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Emergency Services are expected to visit Grafton this afternoon to speak with volunteers and get a briefing on the northern NSW flood crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will not be joining them as he has Covid-19.
A ‘leave now’ evacuation order was issued by the State Emergency Service for Ballina Island at 12.15am after earlier orders, including for low-lying areas of Lennox Head and the evacuation of the Ballina Hospital.
Evacuation centres have been set up in Lennox Head Cultural Centre and Xavier Catholic College in Skennars Head. An earlier refuge centre in Cherry Street had to evacuated.
“Due to unprecedented flooding, you should expect half a metre or more of floodwater above street level in all parts of Ballina Island,” the SES warning said.
“Floodwaters will progressively close roads, so do not delay moving.
“Once flood water begins inundating the area road access, water, sewerage, power, phones and internet may be lost. If you remain in the area you may be trapped and it may be too dangerous for SES and other emergency services to rescue you.”
It looks like a bomb has gone off in Lismore. Complete destruction on every street. Cars all over the roads and debris littered through the receding flood water. The water was 4 metres above this road at the peak. @TheTodayShowpic.twitter.com/bFjaag0Bgf
— James Wilson (@WesternWilson9) March 1, 2022
Ballina is at the mouth of the Richmond River, of which Wilsons River, which has caused the massive flooding in Lismore, is a tributary.
The flood waters from both catchments will drain through the town into the sea.
If the river’s peak coincides with a 1.8 metre king tide at 9.25am on Wednesday, the town could experience a one-in-500-year flood event.
The Richmond River at Woodburn was at Wednesday morning at 7.15 metres and peaking with major flooding, above the February 1954 peak (5.42 metres).
At Woodburn, the scene of dramatic helicopter rescues yesterday, the Richmond was expected to peak near 7.2m into Wednesday with even more major flooding.
The whole Aboriginal community of Cabbage Tree Island near Ballina has now been evacuated. Widjabul man Chris Binge hasn’t slept in 72 hours, evacuating mob in his boat, running aunties to dialysis & dropping food to Gundurimba. On PM with @LindaMottramhttps://t.co/36ntDPRzCupic.twitter.com/DryUKnI613
— Carly Williams (@Williams__Carly) March 1, 2022
The bureau says water from Woodburn takes about four hours to flow downstream to Ballina.
Overnight, the NSW SES shared an evacuation map showing red and green dots to highlight the danger areas.
Much of Ballina, apart from the higher ground, is covered by the red dots.
“I cant read the map at all I am trying to compare it with a real map!!!! We are in our 80s and 90s here. Can anyone update us on streets?’’ Justin Pereira asked.
Many were tagging family members urging them to take the warnings seriously.
“Dad, please go somewhere safe!”
‘THE ROOF DISAPPEARED. IF WE STAYED WE WOULD BE DEAD’
On Ballina forums, some residents were struggling to decipher what the map actually meant, what streets would be affected, and whether it would be that bad.
Craig Greaves from Lismore told residents he had just escaped with his and his family’s lives.
“My house was predicted at 12.7 (about shin deep inside).
“The roof disappeared. If we stayed we would be dead. “Get out now!!! This flood is no joke.’’
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader told Sky News her biggest concerns were for South Ballina and West Ballina as well as rural areas.
She begged people not to put their lives at risk by entering flood waters as levels rose but if they needed help to call the SES on 132 500 or in an emergency Triple 0.
Parts of Ballina are forecast to experience flooding worse than the 2017, 1974 and 1954 weather according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Height levels are conservatively estimated to each 2.5m which was described as a ‘significant’ amount of water would should be taken ‘extraordinarily seriously.”
There have been anxious and emotional scenes in evacuation centres. One young mother holding onto her infant son said she had just escaped Lismore flooding on Sunday to wake up on Tuesday morning to the second horror call.
Bursting into tears, she said her house had been destroyed.
IS BALLINA AIRPORT OPEN OR NOT?
Despite the warnings, some were still asking about getting to the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to fly out.
On the airport’s Facebook page it was still listed as being open, however access was limited and many flights may be cancelled.
Some said there was no way of getting to the airport from certain areas while another said you had to ‘work around the tides’.
More to come
‘HE WAS UP TO HIS NECK’: CLEANER TURNS LIFESAVER
Lismore resident Max Walker has put the devastation of losing everything to the back of his mind for the past two days to lend a hand and save a life in his flooded neighbourhood.
Like many Lismore residents, the speed at which the water rose on Sunday night and the depth reached surprised Mr Walker.
He had previously lifted his Fowler St family home 1300mm above the 1974 flood level.
“We thought we were safe,” Mr Walker said.
“We definitely weren’t safe when we woke up at six in the morning (on Monday) with one step left to go into our house.”
Mr Walker, who works as a professional cleaner, said flood water was at least 300mm through his house half an hour later.
“Then my son came down with a boat and picked us up,” he said.
The water ended up 1600mm through his home later that day when he was called on to save an elderly neighbour who was clinging to his pet cats in his home.
“He couldn’t swim by the look of him,” Mr Walker said.
“He had a hearing aid in but it went underneath the water as well and he was up to his neck.
“If we would have left him another half an hour I don’t think he would have made it.”
He spent much of the day taking people back to their homes.
“We’ve been up and down the street to help people get their valuables out and all their belongings that they needed out,” he said.
He said there were a lot of boats ready to go again at dawn on Tuesday morning.
“There were people in their boats helping people, it was just awesome,” he said.
He was able to paddle Hunter Street residents Steve and Bianca Bennett back to their flooded home on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Bennett said he and his wife wanted to see what they could salvage from the home they had left at 5.30am the day before.
“We packed a couple of kids’ suitcases (and) my wife put up a couple of things inside the house,” he said.
They had prepared for the water to reach 2017 flood height but it went far beyond that.
“This is the second one (flood) we have gone through now but the first one that has gone actually through the house,” he said.
Mr Bennett said they lost everything that was inside but he was grateful his family escaped with their cars.
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