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Byron Shire
October 6, 2024

Mullum families stranded on rooftops in flood disaster

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Mullumbimby’s CBD under water Monday 28 February. PIC: Simon Haslam

The Byron Shire Council has described families on rooftops in Mullumbimby stranded by flooding and desperate for help.

Mullumbimby was isolated owing to floodwaters as of Monday lunchtime with the State Emergency Service saying it was too late to leave.

The SES had issued an evacuation order for Mullumbimby residents around 6am Monday.

Photos from The Echo showed torrents of brown water gushing through through the main shopping precinct in Stuart and Burringbar Streets and houses in the surrounding village were reportedly flooded.

The council reported power outages across the town and said Mullumbimby was its main priority in terms of flood impacts across the Byron Shire.

Director Infrastructure Services Phil Holloway said flooding was so bad authorities were scrambling to find a suitable evacuation centre for the town.

‘The RSL which normally operates as an evacuation centre is also flooded and was not activated by the Department of Communities and Justice,’ Mr Holloway said.

‘A priority is finding a suitable location for people in need right now,’ he said.

Main Arm house succumbs to landslide

A house in Main Arm reportedly succumbed to a landslide Monday morning while in the Lismore hinterland, the Corndale Hall could be seen floating in flood waters on photos reecently uploaded to social media.

It’s understood the Main Arm residents managed to evacuate the building before the landslide.

Mullum water restrictions, SGB flood pump failure

High level water restrictions were in place in Mullumbimby since council staff were unable to access Mullumbimby’s water treatment plant, Mr Holloway said.

Council staff were also investigating a power outage in South Golden Beach that had led to the failure of the local flood pump.

‘Staff are doing everything they can to get the pump operational as soon as possible,’ Mr Hollway said.

‘Essential Energy are aware of the issue and have it listed as an high priority site,’ he said.

Mr Holloway said surrounding weather systems meant Byron Shire’s danger was not over yet.

Shops in Byron Bay’s central business district were reportedly flooded on Monday along with properties in Brunswick Heads.

 


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36 COMMENTS

      • Yep just like wolves and calves but of course there is no such word as yep but we know what it means and all use it. The beauty of language is that it is fluid and is constantly changing with times and eras. Is Google a word or iPad etc etc!!!! Frankly nobody cares. Language is about understanding not pretense.

    • How can you be commenting on our grammar discussion at a time like this!
      Grab a shovel and help out instead…..of sheltering in place like you’ve been told too.
      Unless you are under the supervision of trained personnel, don’t get creative people. Otherwise you may need to be rescued too.

    • Maybe these grammar ding dongs can grab a couple of shovels and come over to my house and discuss weather they are shovelling ‘shit’ or ‘shite’ out of my living room?

  1. So plural of hoof– hooves. But plural of roof — roofs !! Oxford Dictionary says rooves now commonly used , English is an everchanging ,plastic being. Think of all the words no longer in use. Just commenting for a pedantic friend.

    • Thus the home schooling people.
      Replacing the F with a V for plurialisation is old English grammar.
      Keeping the F sounds like the evil Mr Webster striking again.
      And it’s Zed not Zee 😉

    • Can you give me the list of people there that haven’t made fun of preppers? If their preps were insufficient, I’ll help them, cause at least they tried.

  2. Shame on all of you. People’s lives are affected. I have loved ones in Mullumbimby and was looking to see if they are ok and read this. Discusting abuse of social media. Typical.

  3. Sending much love to my Mullum and Main Arm community.
    Hope you’re staying safe down there.
    Many a memory growing up in Main Arm and being air dropped food to Kohinur Hall. But this still seems worse!

  4. Our community is in need and I wonder if anyone knows how we can get things to those who need blankets, dry clothes and food.
    I’m not on social media so can’t communicate and engage if those things are being organised. I’m also unable to physically go and help as I’m a carer. But I’ve gathered up bedding, clothes and food and just want to know if there is a drop off point in Byron to get stuff to those who are in need in Mullumbimby.
    I would also be willing to help organise a program of pickup and drop off by email contact if that is useful. Phone communication is not working. If coordination is already happening it would be great to have the details available if anyone can help. Stay safe everyone and care for each other. love Jan

  5. Shifting focus to a sporting distraction. I don’t suppose anybody has the early scratchings for the upcoming Thursday Lismore Turf Club meeting?

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