Flooding from Ex-Tropic Cyclone Alfred in northern NSW

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Residents in the state’s northeast are being urged to take warnings seriously, as wet weather sets in. Murwillumbah houses that line the Richmond River are prone to flooding. Leaving one resident heading his own Ex-Cyclone Alfred preparation plan.

Transcript

00:00At 86 years old, George Butt is not going anywhere.

00:07And I reckon it's just run off.

00:09Nearly everyone on his street evacuated to safety,

00:12but after 30 years in Moolumbar, he's determined to see this flood through.

00:17I think I know what I'm doing.

00:19I mean, I'm not trying to override anybody,

00:23but the circumstances to me are such that it's safe to stay here.

00:29Other locals emerged after a restless night, fearing the worst.

00:34Some pleasantly surprised there was a chance for coffee,

00:37or something a little stronger.

00:39If you're having a beer at, what, nine o'clock, you'll be here all day?

00:42Till the money runs out.

00:44The tiny inland town of Kyogle wasn't so lucky.

00:48The Richmond River burst its banks, water lapping at homes and businesses.

00:53Residents in low-lying areas were ordered to leave two days ago.

00:58As evacuation centres filled up, volunteers pitched in.

01:02A nice hot meal, especially in this weather, when it's cold and rainy,

01:06they really appreciate it.

01:08They say cooking is love made visible.

01:10Others coping without power dabbled in the creative arts.

01:14When we unloaded it onto the bathroom counter,

01:17and we just got creative with it,

01:19because we didn't have any internet to look at reference photos or anything,

01:24so we just ended up with this.

01:26In Moolumbar, afternoon rain set nerves on edge again.

01:30Authorities urging people in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground.

01:35For most people in this region,

01:37this could be their third major flood in just eight years.

01:42There is a sense, though, that whatever happens,

01:45people will band together and come out on the other side.

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