Second time under
Laidley Salvationist Linda McNeish assesses the damage to her home with Captain Emma Johnson. (Photo: Dean Saffron)
For the second time in two years, floods have wreaked havoc in the Lockyer Valley town of Laidley, 100kms west of Brisbane. Only two years ago, Laidley sustained major damages in the 2011 floods, just as a massive wall of water crashed through the neighbouring town of Grantham.
Major Marie Gittins, Lockyer Valley Corps Officer, was able to get into the town on 29 January, the day after this year’s floods hit. As she drove around the town, she saw that homes and businesses had been inundated, that rubbish and debris were everywhere, and that the waters had left behind thick sludge and mud.
“Emotionally, for many, the shortness between this time and last time is really heavy,” she says. “It’s the most devastating for those who’ve had the water come through their homes and businesses.”
Local Salvationist Linda McNeish was one of the many residents whose home was flooded for the second time in two years.
“This flood was harder,” Linda says. “We had just recovered from the 2011 flood, just got new lino and carpet and then it all got flooded again. …There was a sense of ‘not again’ and a sense of denial that it could possibly happen a second time, and worse as well.
“I still feel God watching over us though, and many others are far worse off than us and are devastated. Being a Christian gives me a connection with God and knowledge that he is with me through this.”
In the recent flood, the level of water that rushed through Linda’s house was almost three times higher than in 2011, the damage was greater, and more possessions were lost as cupboards were washed out and layers of mud and silt deposited on what remained.
Linda’s husband, Gary, owns a computer shop in Laidley, and his losses were more extensive than last time as well.
“This time we are insured, and, like last time too, the community support here has been amazing,” Linda says. “The firies have hosed out places, the Bundamba, Riverview and Toowoomba Salvos and other organisations are helping with cleanup and serving food, and people are just doing what they can for each other.”
Hall damage
The Salvation Army hall in Laidley was flooded and a huge slab of concrete hit a foundation post and the front steps.
By evening on the first day of the clean-up Major Gittins noticed the swollen and overlapping wall-boards and immediately organised for the building to be inspected to make sure it was structurally sound and safe before any further cleanup was done there.
The sink-hole that appeared at the front of the building after the flood has been filled and repaired by the local council: “who have been incredibly helpful to the whole community,” says Major Marie.
The Salvation Army is providing ongoing care for local residents and farmers. Moneycare Lockyer Valley and the Lockyer Valley Salvation have been working with local residents to provide advocacy and financial assistance since the floodwaters receded. These services will continue for as long as possible.
Major Gittins is also hoping that a professional counsellor and rural chaplains can assist in Laidley and surrounds with local residents, farmers, schoolchildren and others.
“This is a fabulous community that looks on the bright side and helps each other,” says Major Gittins. “It’s been two floods in two years and for many, especially our devastated farming community, it’s almost too much.
“But together, we will get through this.”
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.