Washed away

By Lia Bichel
A VICTIM of the recent floods in Casey is living in a caravan outside her home because of potential health risks.
Pam Higgins, 62, said she was exhausted, lost her appetite and was incredibly stressed after the floods ruined her rented Centre Road home seven weeks ago.
Extensive damage was caused to her floors, walls, clothing and furniture including two beds, a wall unit, tables and cupboards.
She will receive contents insurance, but Ms Higgins cannot return to her house until repairs are complete. She also had to stop teaching children to ride ponies, which she did at her house for about 12 years.
Ms Higgins said the horrific event was the worst thing that had happened to her since her husband died in 1994.
“It’s been very frustrating. I feel incredibly alone,” she said.
“I live in a privately rented house owned by an older woman who can’t remove the furniture herself. I need help removing the furniture so that repairs can be done and I can move back in and life can start to return to normal.”
Ms Higgins was helping her elderly neighbour leave her home when the floods began on 4 February. When Ms Higgins returned to her house, she was shocked to find the water was a metre deep and her 15 ponies were struggling to survive.
“I didn’t have any time to think,” she said.
“I had to wade into my house and I saw my queen sized bed was floating. I had to get my dogs out of the house and into the car, but then I was worried about the horses. I had to swim out to the paddocks and try to save them.”
Ms Higgins was not able to rest until 4am, but her daily struggles haven’t stopped since.
“It’s been seven weeks since the floods. I was given a caravan to stay in then bought myself a secondhand one last week,” she said.
“It’s okay because it feels like a little motel room, but I would rather be inside my house.”
City of Casey Council officers said they had arranged to collect Ms Higgins’ flood damaged goods on Tuesday, 12 April but Ms Higgins said anyone else who could lend a helping hand could contact her on 0412 168 698.
City of Casey Municipal Recovery Manager Jo Smale said the City of Casey was continuing to assist residents and businesses in the aftermath of the extraordinary and extreme flooding.
“An integrated community recovery process is being undertaken by the council, in partnership with relevant state and commonwealth authorities and departments, as well as local agencies,” Ms Smale said.
“A Municipal Relief and Recovery Committee, made up of these agencies is now meeting fortnightly to co-ordinate and monitor recovery activities at a municipal level.”
Ms Smale said ongoing recovery activities included provision of information to affected residents through a dedicated section on council’s website, facilitating a community information evening for Hampton Park residents, working with government and non-government agencies to ensure affected residents could access appropriate assistance such as accommodation, financial support, counselling and material aid.
City of Casey encourages residents still requiring assistance to contact City of Casey Customer Service who will refer them to a council recovery officer, where necessary.