Our latest update regarding the flood response so far
We hope that if you read this message, you are well, dry and safe. If you are flooded, your priority is to remain safe - stay on high grounds, avoid walking in flooded waters, don't eat any food that has been in contact with flooded waters. Drink water liberally to not dehydrate. Seek help. We think of you and hope your personal situation will improve as soon as possible.
Here are the latest updates we have gathered about the flood response so far. We'll share further updates as we can, so please report to us any relevant info that you may have.
Evacuation Centres for the Byron shire: Currently Ocean Shores Country Club (formally established) as well as informal community-led sites at:
Mullumbimby Ex-services Club (confirmed open but they need more volunteers and food and bedding)
Ocean Shores Seventh Day Adventist Church
Brunswick Hotel
Mullum District and Neighbourhood Centre (will take 10 evacuees upstairs and another 4, plus a few families going to private accommodation)
Key needs for evacuation centres are blankets and blow-up beds as well as food
Request for defence support was approved - vehicles and 24 hour Search and Rescue helicopters
Planning for recovery in the Byron Shire is beginning - ie. the location of a state recovery centre and the establishment of Recovery Sub-Committees. We anticipate this will occur within 1-2 weeks
Waste services not running for Byron Shire
Potable water is a concern, and the shire is now on restricted water supply - please advise everyone to conserve water.
The Pacific Highway is still blocked around Chinderah/Cudgera Creek with water not dissipating - unlikely to recede or reopen overnight.
Many, many locations around the region are flooded at the moment, and we encourage anyone who has the capacity to help others to do so. Emergency services are working around the clock, but their capacity is finite so we can't expect their immediate support.
This is what each of us who are able can do:
Welfare check: if you can and if you haven't already we encourage you to check on your family, friends and neighbours, and encourage others to do the same. Be that listening ear.
Provide help if you can: Many people are needing a safe and dry place to sleep, dry clothes, water, food, human connection. Provide whatever you can to whomever.
Communicate on the Resilient Byron Facebook group relevant and supportive information with others: ie where are the evacuation centres, which roads are closed or open, where you can volunteer to help others, which shops are closed or open, etc. Be sure to specify if the information is confirmed or not to avoid spreading rumours. Also, check the Byron Shire Council emergency dashboard regularly: https://emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au/
Extra precautions: If you have power at the moment make sure your phone is charged and also think about what foods could go in the freezer so they last longer if the power goes out.
Do not put yourself at risk: Do not get into flooded waters due to risks associated with strong currents, holes you can't see, wild animals, electricity, harmful bacteria etc. and do not increase the work of emergency services by walking/driving around just to see mother nature at work. Resist the urge and channel your energy into helping others.
Finally, while this is a catastrophic situation, let's all remain, calm and serve as a grounded presence for others. Practice breathing calmly and deeply, do not allow your mind to make the situation worse, gently ignore its worse thoughts.