Barbara’s Lismore Flood Disaster Recovery

Hi! I’m Barbara from Lismore in NSW.

Devastating floods of unprecedented levels inundated my home on February 28 this year.

I sat on top of the double bunk bed with floodwater rising higher and higher, covering the bottom bunk and halfway up the window, with snakes swimming past the window, before I was rescued by a volunteer in a boat. It was pretty traumatic. I got out through the top window on the upper storey of my home, with nothing but my backpack-style handbag. The waters continued to rise much higher after I left.

Luckily I had moved my car to high ground the previous night and once I’d been rescued, despite the car having a flat tyre, I was able to drive to a friend’s place nearby on higher ground.

i am grateful for her hospitality and for family and friends who helped clear my home of its flood-damaged contents. The photo is of the debris outside my place. I lost almost everything I owned and cannot live there now.

A few people have offerered financial help and some offered to set up GoFundMe campaigns and eventually I decided to set this up myself to make it easier for these generous people to help. I am one of many impacted by this disaster but want to offer my heartfelt gratitude in advance for any donations to help rebuild my life. Funds raised will be used to replace some of the items that were damaged in the flood, like my laptop, furniture and other household items. Thank you.