In the middle of an evacuation zone

Early in the morning, I was startled out of a deep sleep by the CFA call out siren. Heart pounding, I wondered if that was the sign that a levee at Kerang had broken.

Staying in the middle of the almost deserted town, I was part of the ResilientCo team supporting Gannawarra Shire Council’s efforts in flood response, relief and early recovery planning.

An evacuation order in place, shops were shut or open for only limited hours. Essential services, health, emergency services and council staff made up the bulk of trade looking for coffee in the quiet streets.

On the outskirts of the town and across the Shire, the focus was on patrolling the levees, sandbagging and other operations designed to hold the water back or limit its impact, and providing information and services to community. Slowly the water has been rolling in to some communities, and rolling past others.

It’s been a hard slog, and remains a hard slog. The impacts are still becoming known, and the water is still threatening in some areas. The agriculture sector has already been hit hard.

This week, returning for a second deployment after the evacuation was lifted, I had to battle for a car park in the Main Street. People are relieved to return to their community. Services are not at full tilt because some staff are still isolated away. The smell of stagnant water hangs heavy.

There’s a lot of wisdom in the Shire about the water and what it might do. The old flood heads have been listened to, their knowledge often acted upon.

Community members have been challenged to make decisions about their own safety and capabilities. In Kerang and in Cohuna in particular, the community has banded together.

Not yet totally through the response, some of the Gannawarra communities have seen this before and know what the next bit may be like.

It’s devastating. And it’s going to be a long haul.