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Salvos respond to floods in North NSW and QLD

7 February 2012
Salvos respond to floods in North NSW and QLD

Moree – Northern NSW

The rain has eased off in Moree in north-west NSW, since flood waters rushed through the town last Thursday 2nd February. While the immediate danger has subsided, Moree Salvation Army Officer, Captain Chris Shadbolt says: “Really it’s just starting for people now, as they are going back to their house and finding out what’s actually happened. That’s when everything hits home.”

Since the evacuation centre was set up last Thursday The Salvation Army Emergency Services Team (SAES) has served anywhere between 80 – 300 meals, 3 times a day to evacuees, State Emergency Service crews and others.

“We’ve also got a team out at the moment offering to help move people’s damaged furniture and rubbish to the roadside and offering assistance to help mow lawns and anything that needs doing,” says Captain Shadbolt.

Tomorrow afternoon a team of Salvation Army personnel will be taking fresh water, food packs and a sausage sizzle to residents still in flood affects areas.

Roma, Dalby and St George – Southern Queensland

The evacuation centre in Dalby, Southern Queensland, has been active since Friday 3rd February and since Sunday evening it has been home to many people from the St George community as well. “Roughly 2500 people from the St George area are now in the Dalby centre,” says Major Alan Daly, Salvation Army Rural Chaplain.

Major Daly and his wife were among those evacuated from St George on Sunday and have been assisting in Dalby since they arrived. “We are serving breakfasts and making sure people have everything they need: water, food, toiletries - everything to see that they are as comfortable as possible,” says Major Daly.

“People are anxious now about what is going to happen and what sort of job they have ahead of them when they get back to their homes.”

In Roma, flood waters have subsided and the clean up has begun. Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) South Queensland Coordinator, David Howell says:“Members of SAES teams from Ipswich and Carindale in Brisbane are still in Roma, assisting with the clean up of the area.

“1000 meals were served in Roma yesterday,” says Mr Howell. “In Mitchell the whole town is still cut off and the Salvation Army team there is feeding 300 plus people a day - 600 meals were given out yesterday.”

An SAES team from Brisbane arrived in Charleville on Monday evening, 6th February, to set up a feeding and evacuation centre. An evacuation centre at the RNA Showground is operational in Brisbane, with meals being served by SAES teams from Stafford and Slacks Creek.

Major Neil Dickson, South Queensland Public Relations Secretary says: “The centre was set up to accommodate a small number of St George residents flown to Brisbane on Monday. It’s not as busy as we thought, approximately 50 people are there at any given time.” So far 220 meals have been given out.

Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) South Queensland Coordinator, David Howell has thanked everyone involved so far: “It’s a wonderful bunch of people, they are all committed and working hard. It’s good to be a part of and work alongside such wonderful people.”

Image: flood waters in Roma, Southern Queensland

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The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

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