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Floods

Floodwaters Bring Dangers Beyond the Rising Water in NSW's Mid North Coast

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Rising water levels forced Julie Botfield and her children to evacuate their home in Clybucca, near Kempsey, on the NSW Mid North Coast. As the water lapped at the bottom storey of their home, Ms Botfield witnessed a terrifying spectacle of spiders, frogs, and snakes being swept up by the floodwaters. The family's evacuation was delayed, and they were forced to take shelter in a boat, navigating the treacherous waters to safety. Meanwhile, their neighbor, Holly Gaddes, chose to stay in her home, having lived on her cattle farm in the region since 2011. Despite the speed of the floodwaters being a surprise, Ms Gaddes remains committed to staying in the area, citing the region's beauty and her family's long history of farming the land.

Key Takeaways:

  • The floodwaters on the NSW Mid North Coast brought dangers beyond the rising water, including spiders, frogs, and snakes being swept up by the floodwaters.
  • Julie Botfield and her children were forced to evacuate their home in Clybucca due to the rapid rise of floodwaters.
  • The family's evacuation was delayed, and they were not rescued by the SES or triple-0 until they called a friend with a boat.
  • Holly Gaddes, a neighbor of Ms Botfield, chose to stay in her home despite the rising floodwaters and had packed some belongings in a tub as a precaution.
  • The speed of the floodwaters was a surprise to Ms Gaddes, but she remains committed to staying in the area, citing the region's beauty and her family's long history of farming the land.
  • The floodwaters destroyed Ms Botfield's shed and her belongings, including her car.
  • The community is facing a significant clean-up effort in the aftermath of the floodwaters.

The ABC reports on the Mid North Coast floods, the evacuation of Julie Botfield and her children, and the experiences of their neighbor, Holly Gaddes.

Statistics:

  • The floodwaters rose rapidly, from not near the paddock to a "river in the front and backyard" within a few hours.
  • The family's evacuation was delayed, and they were not rescued by the SES or triple-0 until they called a friend with a boat.
  • Holly Gaddes has lived on her cattle farm since 2011 and has experienced many floods in the region.
  • The region has a long history of farming, with Ms Gaddes' husband's family farming the land for many years.
  • The community is facing a significant clean-up effort in the aftermath of the floodwaters.
  • Ms Botfield's shed and belongings, including her car, were destroyed by the floodwaters.

Sources:

  • ABC News (no date)
  • Julie Botfield (no date)
  • Holly Gaddes (no date)

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