Living in a regional area, where water is such an important and precious part of day-to-day life, I never, ever thought I would despair at the sound of rain falling on my roof. But right about now, I could do with less pitter patter. I also want the relentless storms and cyclonic weather we’ve been experiencing here in the Northern Rivers since January, to please, please, please stop stalking us. I’m sure we all have some choice words to say to this current weather system about where we’d like it to go! While the rain has eased off today, we are still encircled by threatening, swirling, grey skies. Strong winds are also making landslides and falling trees one of the biggest dangers today. No-one yet knows the full extent of the damage caused by the reemergence of mass flooding throughout our region. Yesterday's floodwaters, while receding, have not gone down enough to get a clear picture of what has been left in the aftermath. Although, it doesn’t take an expert to know that the debris piles won’t be quite as high this time. There is so little left for these new floods to swallow and wash away. They took everything last month. The emotional and physical tolls, not to mention the financial impact on our already devastated and flood fatigued locals, are going to be beyond huge. There is no talk today in our communities about rebuilding or repairing. The focus is entirely about providing immediate relief and support. Questions of “What on earth are we going to do, now?” hang in the air. The answer, right now, is as clear as mud.
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The food waters have washed away and destroyed entire stretches of roads.
Paradise lost………..