'I was watching all my stuff float out of the garage'

Published: 

21 March 2023 2:24PM

The night before Gympie's flood peaked last February, Cameron took some comfort that floodwaters had never been inside his 1950s-era home.

"I woke up the next morning and it had already covered the cars in the yard," he recalled.

"It was rising quickly and flowing fast, and I was watching all my stuff float out of the garage.  I was watching air compressors and tool boxes just float out of my garage."

"A couple of hours later, the water was up to the floorboards and the SES turned up in a boat which was amazing."

Unlike every flood Gympie had seen since his house was built, this flood was different.

"This was the big one this time.  It went right into the house," he said.

"It was just thick brown mud through the house everywhere.  When you get an event like that, you basically lose everything."

So when Cameron was offered a cabin at the Gympie Recovery Accommodation Park, it was a huge relief. The park was opened by the Queensland Government to provide temporary accommodation and support to flood-affected residents.

"Everything was set up with beds, linen, cutlery and towels, because we didn't have anything.  When you lose everything, you've just got the clothes you're wearing."

"It's amazing what they've done in a short period of time to get people in here."

The Queensland Government's Housing Service Centres are here if you or someone you know needs housing help. Call 13 QGOV for your nearest centre or call the Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.