Following the disastrous storm water and flash flooding inundation, that hit the City of Newcastle on Friday, 8th June, 2007, the inhabitants are slowly recovering and setting about starting a new way of life.
When the exceptional rain storm produced 100-130mm of rain in a few hours, the nearby Hunter River was already flowing at top levels. Consequently the storm water drains had nowhere to empty their contents and the volume of water quickly covered the streets and rose to unexpected heights.
There were no warnings of flash flooding, according to some of those interviewed. The local ABC Radio station worked overtime to broadcast emergency services announcements and inform the listeners of the latest developments, after the storm. Even some of the overworked journalists in the newsroom could not return to their own homes in the outlying areas and had to stay within the city.
One report described Newcastle City as "like a war zone". Cars were washed into drains, where they were found vertically in the water, some cars stacked on top of each other. One car sales yard lost most of its stock of new vehicles, which will now be stripped and sold as spare parts in major cities.
Power lines were brought down by falling trees and high velocity winds, creating a wide area of power blackouts. Those with gas stoves could continue to cook meals, but those with electrical appliances faced cold meals and having to make do.
Trees toppled over in many of the parks. Houses in low lying areas were awash with flood waters, destroying carpets, furnishings and ground level accessories
The bulk carrier, MV Pasha Bulker was grounded on Nobby's Beach, at 9.15am, Friday, 8th June. Its crew of 22, mostly Filipino and Korean personnel, was airlifted to safety by an intrepid Westpac helicopter crew, braving strong winds and a shifting deck. The mammoth vessel was launched in 2006. It is 225 metres (738ft) long; has a beam of 32.2metres (105.6ft) and weighs 76,741 tonnes, deadweight.
On Wednesday, 13th June a Department of Community Services (DoCS) Disaster Recovery Centre was set up in Hunter Street, an area which had previously been a metre under water. Nearby is an underground car park, which had been full of cars - and was flooded. The Harvey Norman store next door is boarded up, following the visit by looters, using a smashed front entrance, created by a car floating by.
Around the corner is a Pizza shop – closed by the owner after losing its contents and the loss of his car. A boarded-up hotel, with its carpeting on the footpath awaiting removal, is closed and deserted.
However, in the Disaster Emergency Centre, located in the main street, people found hope. A number of key non-government agencies were accommodated in the centre, with pre-designated tasks and responsibilities. The Australian Red Cross provided care and comfort, informing people of assistance available, by going door to door and finding the lonely, elderly and struggling young families. Daily briefing sessions notified the staff and volunteers of the areas to be covered that day. The Anglican organisation, Samaritans, associated with Anglicare, assisted with the door-knocking, as well as helping any of the other agencies when needed.
Dan Cox, Samaritan's Marketing and Communications Officer, explained: "Samaritans are there to support all others."
There have been over 130 staff and volunteers involved in this disaster and even two of their own recycle shops were damaged and closed for a while, at Cardiff and Hamilton South, but both are now re-opened.
"It has been a fabulous effort from our staff and volunteers to get the shops back up and running, especially in light of our support for others in the evacuation and disaster recovery centres and through the outreach teams visiting local homes affected by flood," said Vivian Hayles, Director Corporate Services.
Adventist ADRAcare (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) staff provided temporary accommodation assistance, after evacuees had been registered by RED CROSS and assessed by DoCS.
The St Vincent de Paul Society provided basic necessities, such as blankets, toiletries, mattresses and clothing.
Located in another area of the centre was The Salvation Army Divisional Emergency Services personnel. Under the leadership of Keith Welsman, the Divisional Co-ordinator, they had already provided barbecue meals in the city's parks, immediately following the flooding and prior to the Disaster Emergency Centre being opened. Their responsibility is to provide food – for disaster victims as well as emergency services workers.
Woolworths had provided a supply of food items (as well as a generous financial donation) for packing into shopping bags for those in need. The bags were packed by The Salvation Army personnel in Gosford and transported to Newcastle.
Even in the Disaster Emergency Centre, the Salvos were roaming around, supplying hot and cold drinks and, according to the Divisional Public Relations Secretary, Major David Eyles, "Loitering, with intent to care!" According to David, over 600-700 meals have been provided and "thousands" of cups of coffee.
Nearby, insurance agencies, NRMA (another great supporter of the Salvos) and AAMI, were available to give advice and guide people in making claims.
Each worker has freely given of their time and knowledge to help anyone in need and all had nothing but praise for the leadership shown by the DoCS personnel.
A tour of the suburbs soon gave evidence to the selfless efforts of council clean-up crews, some of whom had travelled from other cities to help. Residents had been encouraged to gather damaged goods and place them on the footpath for collection and removal. Then they set about starting all over again, to furnish their homes and put the flood of June 2007 behind them.
For Samaritans, ADRAcare, The Salvation Army and the other counselling services, their work continues in the coming days, as they "loiter, with intent to care!"