Perhaps Peter can recognise this part of Lismore!
I certainly can Brian, and you can see from the McDonald’s sign just how deep the water was. Behind the photographer is Lismore Shopping Square, a large shopping centre less than a kilometre from the CBD, which is at least five metres off the ground, yet I hear there was more than a metre of water in the shops. The water has receded from the CBD now, revealing the extent of the damage, the like of which has never been seen here before. I haven’t been in to have a look, I can’t help, and would only be in the way, but my two sons who live in the area are both in there helping in any way they can. A friend of my oldest son has a bakery in South Lismore, and while the building is still standing, every piece of equipment, ovens, dough mixers etc, is ruined. He is only one example but there are many, many others. Then there are the houses, I have no idea of numbers, but it would be in the hundreds, some completely submerged, and most people only packed things above the previous record flood height - this flood was 2 metres higher.
We are into our fourth day without power, but I know the electricity authority is working extremely hard, in difficult conditions, to restore power. We were lucky enough to be able to borrow a generator yesterday, so we can at least keep the fridge and freezer going. The next problem will be food and fuel supplies, as many district roads are badly damaged, and trucks are having difficulty getting through. We are okay for a week or so, by which time, hopefully, supplies should be arriving.
I’m relying on my phone for internet connection, and it’s woefully slow, probably due to high demand, but that’s a very minor issue, many, much bigger problems face those who are most affected by this disaster.
Peter.
