The near-unprecedented deluge that has soaked much of the east coast in recent weeks is continuing to throw grey nomad travel plans into chaos … and cause some hairy moments.
Flash flooding and massive downpours have made travel extremely hazardous, and towns like Lismore and Byron Bay have been inundated.
At Brunswick Heads in northern New South Wales, the Brunswick River broke its banks this morning and water came over the road at the Ferry Reserve caravan park.
“It came over on the west side of the caravan park just after high tide at 9.23am,” said local Daya Pepper. “I have been told that all the cabins at the front of the caravan park are currently empty as they were damaged in the last flood.”
In the NSW Mid North Coast, the SES has been evacuating people at the Bellinger River Caravan Park which sits on the Bellinger River at Repton.
Similarly, the authorities have warned guests at the low-lying areas of the Riverside Caravan Park Coraki – which is located at the junction of the Richmond and Wilson, west of Evans Head rivers – to get out.
“Once flood water begins inundating the area road access water, sewerage, power, phones and internet may be lost,” the SES said. “If you remain in the area, you will be trapped and it may be too dangerous for SES to rescue you.”
The Dalby Tourist Park evacuated about 30 caravans. PIC: Robert Nowland / ABC
Of course, the mental strain of anticipating potential floods is also wearing many down.
At the Dalby Tourist Park, on the banks of Myall Creek in Queensland, 30 caravans were evacuated on Monday morning.
Operator John Wadwell told the ABC the frequent floods were taking a toll.
“They’re expecting the water to be a bit higher than the last one, probably around two to three metres … so we’re just getting everyone out of the park just in case,” Mr Wadwell said. “The biggest thing is the clean-up and the loss of income … we’ve had four floods now in five months.
