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Trees, twisted metal, damaged fences, farming tools, and electrical lines are entwined around every structure in the vicinity, left behind by the surging floodwaters that tore through the area last week.
Ian Andrews said he’s heartbroken to see his childhood home destroyed. Source: SBS News
Ian Andrews has lived in the family home for over 80 years and said they’re in desperate need of assistance to clear the debris.
“We need trucks. There’s 20, 30, 40 truckloads [of debris] there.”
The Andrews family’s house, occupied for over 115 years, is now encircled by debris nearly reaching the rooftop. Source: SBS News / Alexandra Jones
Ian’s wife, Sharyn Andrews, says it’s been difficult — physically and emotionally — to begin the clean-up while grappling with the reality that a lifetime of memories have been washed away.
“We don’t know whether we’ll be able to come back and live in this house because the water’s got so high.”
“People can’t do it, it’s got to be machinery. People can’t move this.”
Marks within the Andrews home reveal the 2021 flood level, with a new line much higher indicating this year’s water rise. Source: SBS News
PM visits flood-ravaged areas
“This is like a war zone. A disaster, just catastrophic.”
Single father of three Josef Proctor said he’s devastated by the destruction, but the community coming together to help has lifted his spirits. Source: SBS News
“There hasn’t been much government assistance in the area. Not at the moment anyway,” he said.
“Whole buildings in sections, like whole chicken coops… just scattered.”
The NSW government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. Source: SBS News
Helping hands
“I get pretty emotional, because as a young kid growing up in this area, it was a beautiful place to grow up.
Ex-rugby league player Matt Adamson (right) travelled from Queensland to help his hometown clean up after devastating floods. Sharyn Andrews (left) saidshe remembers Adamson from when he was a child. Source: SBS News
Through the heartache, Sharyn said she’s grateful for the helping hands.
“This is a lower-income [area], like a lot of pensioners, a lot of older people in the Taree area, and I know there’s a lot of them that have been caught in the flood. They’re probably just as bad off as I am,” Andrews said.
Record-breaking floods
“She always kept a journal and had all the all the heights recorded. And I have continued that since we’ve lived here,” she said.
Still smiling as they confront the mammoth cleanup ahead. (From right) Matt Adamson, Josef Proctor and Sharyn Andrews. Source: SBS News
“Terrible to lose a lot of sentimental stuff, but we have our memories.
