CRESWICK: Residents survive second flooding

By Evan Schuurman
Updated November 2 2012 - 3:29pm, first published January 14 2011 - 1:34pm
The Creswick Creek overflowing onto the football oval. Picture: Adam Trafford
The Creswick Creek overflowing onto the football oval. Picture: Adam Trafford

RESIDENTS and business owners in Creswick have survived the town's second devastating flood in just over four months.The banks of Creswick Creek were breached about 7.30am yesterday morning. Hundreds of residents were evacuated, most of whom stayed with family and friends living on higher ground.Red Cross emergency response volunteers at the temporary relief centre on Water St in Creswick registered 24 evacuees on Thursday afternoon and evening and another 17 yesterday morning.Most evacuees were still in shock as they came to terms with the situation. Creswick residents for 40 years, Ian and Jean McKay made use of the emergency facility, but said they hadn't even recovered from the September 4 floods last year."It's hard to believe it's happened again so soon," Mrs McKay said."It's going to be devastating, but we're thankful we're still here, we're still alive."Like many residents in the area, Mr and Mrs McKay still had damaged property to replace from the last floods ? property fences and the sides of their garage."We're glad we didn't get those fixed since last time," Mrs McKay said laughing.Colin Ford , who moved into his Creswick caravan just six months ago, couldn't believe his luck when he too was evacuated from the nearby caravan park for a second time since moving in.Mr Ford described the scene from his caravan as being "like a lake around us"."It's unbelievable, I just hope there's no more," he added.Tourists were also impacted by the unseasonably heavy rainfall.South Australian couple Carol and Keith Valentine thought they had brought the bad weather with them when they arrived in Victoria last Saturday.Mr and Mrs Valentine were also staying at the Creswick Caravan Park, camping in tents before park management suggested they move into a cabin ahead of the expected flooding."Then this morning they were banging on our door because they said otherwise we wouldn't be able to get out anymore," Mrs Valentine said. But Mrs Valentine could see the upside of the flooding experience."At least we got a ride in a fire truck," she said.Aside from those fleeing the rising waters, the relief centre was inundated with volunteers and members of local community groups looking to lend a hand any way they could. Kate Moran and her husband spent the morning keeping the spirits up of those who had lost most."We've been lucky both times," Mrs Moran said. "Rather than being useless it's better to come down here and help out."Mrs Moran said volunteers spent the morning making cups of tea and coffee, preparing food and simply listening to people's stories.Creswick business owners were finally allowed to return to their shops just after midday, many of whom immediately began the arduous task of calculating the damage.Businesses located along the Midland Highway between Victoria Street and Cushing Avenue were worst affected despite extensive sandbagging.Owner of hardware store Davies and Rose Rural and Hardware Jamie Davies said the cost to his business could top the $50,000 damage bill caused by the last flood."I wouldn't have a clue how much it'd be, but it'd be in the tens of thousands easy," he said. "I just want to clean it up and get trading again."The Farmers Arms Hotel was again spared from major damage, with the only significant flood-related cost to come from a flooded cellar."I think the man upstairs is looking after us," owner Eddie Koene said . When asked how long until the bar reopens, Mr Koene responded "just give me half an hour".

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