Been a pretty crap week. Ex tropical cyclone Debbie tore on down the coast as a tropical low bringing torrential rain ( we had 600mm or 24 inches in 36hrs) which has bought extensive flooding to many areas. At least 8 houses in the tiny village I live in were flooded, or damaged by landslides.
We were without power for only 48hrs which was a surprise as we expected to be out for much longer, but mobile phone, landline phone and internet have been very intermittant for the last 5 days.
Downstream our closest town was very hard hit (Murwillumbah) with many houses flooded and extensive property losses. It was the biggest flood in 60+ years.
We were isolated in our little community for days. Road was cut by either water, landslides or road damage on all 3 of our possible exit routes. They are clear not but still lots of debris and dirt and road damage to negotiate.
As you can imagine HUGE cleanup efforts in progress. I spent 6 1/2hrs with another person cleaning a neighbours kitchen in an effort to save it. The water went thru at 6ft and every surface had to be washed down 4 times to remove the mud (and there is still mud in all the joins and corners. We have not even started on the kitchens contents, that is just the kitchen itself. Just impossible to get out in the conditions). You can imagine the heartbreak of not having insurance because it just costs way too much to insure a house in a flood zone here.
Myself....I live up on a hill, so no damage whatsoever. I feel lucky
These were taken just before midday when the river inundated the houses the first time to a depth of about 1.5ft. It rose again at midnight that same day to do the major damage
