Photo by Rexness
In late March, Cyclone Debbie hit New South Wales, Australia, causing flooding.
Per BBC, “In many towns floodwaters are continuing to rise after the category four cyclone saw some areas experience three times their average monthly rainfall on Thursday alone.”
Several towns were declared disaster zones.
News.co.au explains, “Several flood-affected northern NSW towns have been declared natural disaster zones after hundreds of residents fled inundated homes and nearby rivers peaked. Several towns in the state’s north have been affected by the deluge caused by the remnants of ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie — including Murwillumbah, Chinderah and Kyogle — with the Wilsons, Richmond and Tweed rivers peaking. The federal and state governments on Friday afternoon announced natural disaster assistance would be available for those in the Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed regions.”
Authorities suspected that many who did not seek refuge were swept away overnight during the flood.
New Zealand Herald reports, “’There could be people overnight that perished in that flood, we don’t know at this stage,’ Morrow told ABC yesterday. ‘As we start to go out to find people that made those calls overnight, there could be some very distressing news.’ NSW SES assistant commissioner Kaylene Jones said it was an ‘absolute’ possibility there were more missing people emergency workers didn’t know about.”
Not only were homes affected, but also schools.
Per BBC, “More than 2,000 Queensland schools remained closed on Friday due to flooding.”
There were many people who were waiting for rescue and one that was unaccounted for.
News.com.au explains, “‘My understanding is he is a bushwalker and he remains unaccounted for,’ he [Police Commissioner Ian Stewart] said. “You can just imagine what the conditions are like there … it would be a very treacherous situation.”
This is not the first time a flood of this size has occurred in New South Wales, Australia.
The New Zealand Herald reports, “Roads have been turned into rivers and rescues are under way as flood levels around Brisbane match those seen in the disastrous fatal deluge of 2011. Some parts of southeast Queensland and northern NSW have seen their worst flooding since 1954.”
Rescue workers have been deployed into New South Wales to help with the relief efforts.
The Salvation Army works in New South Wales to provide disaster relief.
Per the Salvation Army, “Your gift will help many in our community who are struggling with the challenges of homelessness, natural disaster, disadvantage or family crisis. Your support will help them find a way out of their desperate situation, to find independence, self-respect and hope.”
Please pray for an end to the floods and for many to come to know the Lord through the floods.
BBC: Cyclone Debbie: Two women killed as floods hit eastern Australia
news.com.au: Towns underwater, people missing in floods following Cyclone Debbie
nzherald.co.nz: Towns underwater, people missing in floods following Cyclone Debbie
