As climate change pioneers, communities are being called upon to respond to disasters that overwhelm emergency services
Photograph: Dan Peled/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Dan Peled/Getty ImagesI’ve lived near Lismore for 15 years. During the town’s first floods, I took cupcakes to an evacuation centre and asked if they accepted homemade goods.The official line was no, then came a wink and nod because all highways were cut and food was scare. It reminded me of the SES call early on 28 February for private boat owners to help rescue those stranded in inundated properties.
There’s a feeling that climate change has moved the goal posts but scientists, emergency workers and the government haven’t caught up... there will be a community response in disasters such as this because the community is already there.” Yet a consequence of the emergency response to these floods is that many have lost faith in the state’s ability to protect them, even with large numbers of emergency personnel now on the ground.
There was an emotional exchange between a local journalist and Scott Morrison during the PM’s visit, with the journo yelling: “.” I was surprised a regional journalist had these expectations in a crisis. My attitude is shaped by the Black Summer bushfires. On 8 November, when a record 17 fires in New South Wales were at the emergency warning level, I was briefly trapped by a fallen tree before the RFS cleared the path.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Talk about deja vu': Lismore residents 'speechless' after another flooding event – video‘I actually woke up this morning thinking this was a dream for a split second,' says Lismore resident Scotty Brizzle
Read more »
NSW floods: destructive weather moves south as water begins to recede in LismoreSevere wind and damaging surf warnings for most of the New South Wales east coast
Read more »
Rescuers still searching for missing Lismore woman as major flooding continuesRescuers are searching for a missing aged-care nurse whose car became trapped in floodwaters, as the flood level continues to spill in the already-devastated NSW regional city of Lismore:
Read more »
Woman missing in floodwaters as parts of northern NSW remain underwaterThe Wilson River has peaked in the Northern Rivers town of Lismore, but parts of the town remain underwater. A search continues for a 55-year-old woman believed to be missing in floodwaters south of the town. NSWfloods 7NEWS
Read more »
Palaszczuk rules out new valuations for flooded homesQueensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said flood-stricken residents who face big rate hikes following a sharp jump in property valuations can appeal the decision.
Read more »
‘Overwhelmed’: NSW ambulance hits highest crisis level multiple times in past 14 daysExclusive: The NSW ambulance network hit its most severe emergency response level four times in two weeks as paramedics struggled to cope with demand lucy_carroll|
Read more »