Hinton Residents Find Solace in Pub as Hunter Floodwaters Rise

As the murky brown waters of the Hunter river gradually rose around Hinton on Tuesday morning, locals defied the chaos by gathering at the Victoria Hotel to share stories and wait out the flood. Time appeared to slow down amidst the rising waters, allowing for the sighting of an exhausted red-bellied snake and a cranky cow with an egret perched on its back. The hotel, a sanctuary for stranded residents, hosted a couple of dozen locals at noon, with a hotel supervisor predicting that "pretty much the whole town" would be there as long as the pub stayed open and the beers flowed.

Key Takeaways:

• The town of Hinton, with a population of 470 residents, has been affected by a major flood, with waters rising around the town.
• The Victoria Hotel has become a social hub for locals, with many residents gathering there to wait out the flood and share stories.
• Hotel supervisor Kez Fraser stated that the pub will remain open as long as the beers are flowing, indicating a strong community spirit.
• Long-time resident Troy Lantry, who has lived in Hinton for 50 years, predicts the worst is yet to come, with floodwaters from the upper catchment expected to make their way downstream.
• Lantry's wife, Kim, has turned her coffee cart into a makeshift social hub, with customers including Leah and Trent Barry and their children, who had been preparing for the flood.
• Residents are unsure when they will be able to return to work, with one resident predicting it will take seven to 10 days for the waters to recede.

Statistics:

• Population of Hinton: 470 residents
• Frequency of ferrying in supplies by SES floodboat: every hour
• Distance between Hinton and Morpeth: five-minute voyage along the swollen river
• Expected duration of flooding: ongoing, with predictions of several days for the waters to recede
• Time of day when locals started queuing for Kim's coffee cart: 7:30am
• Number of days since the 2021 flood: not specified

Sources:

• "Time appeared to slow down as the murky brown flood water gradually rose around the town Tuesday morning." (Matthew Kelly, Byline)
• Quotes from Kez Fraser, Troy Lantry, and Kim Lantry
• Report on SES floodboat supplying medicines and helping locals
• Statement by Troy Lantry on the expected duration of the flooding
• Description of Kim's coffee cart becoming a social hub for locals.