While the devastation is not as widespread as Lismore, Ballina is also counting the cost of inundation in recent days. Water came through Danny Singh’s restaurant The Cove while he was stuck at home.
Mr Singh is well known locally for his outstanding efforts helping those in need, particularly during the COVID crisis. His restaurant is on River Street, near the RSL.
He told The Echo that water from the swollen river came through his front door when drainage backed up from the street, then came through the back door of the restaurant as well.
Mr Singh said no one expected the water to get so high, but sandbagged everything just in case. Unfortunately the sandbags didn’t help very much and ten inches went through the restaurant, damaging floors and everything stored in cupboards.
‘There was a lot of mess and then the power went off. We had to chuck everything away in the cool room. Thank God on Tuesday we cooked about 700 meals for the people of Lismore.’
Mr Singh said these meals could not be delivered due to road closures, but the food went to people evacuated from their homes in Ballina.
Staff fantastic
Having helped so many others, Danny Singh is not asking for any help from the wider community now. He’s already had a visit from Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and says his staff and family members have been wonderful assisting with the work needed for recovery.
‘They’ve been fantastic. We’re very lucky that all our staff have been helping us non-stop,’ he said.
Mr Singh’s message for the wider community is ‘keep an eye on each other and help each other. That’s what people have been doing.
‘I had 100 messages from people offering help. It’s so good to see everyone getting together and helping each other. It’s the best thing ever,’ he said.
‘We feel for everyone in Lismore and in Ballina, especially West Ballina.’
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