Mid morning on Tuesday a massive storm swept across where I live near Maitland hunter valley. Bigger then the 1955 flood people are telling me. Anyway while I was on a chainsaw attending to the neighbours trees that blew over the previous night the skies opened up an a massive wall of water came straight towards our house. Nicole yelled for help and by the time I had ran up from the back paddock water was already in the garage and about to go thru the house. The force of the water tossed ride on mowers around like they were match box cars. I live on s hill but wow. For over an hour we fought to keep the water at bat or at least reduce the impact using gear of my vintage Dennis fire engine and pool covers to make a levee but then this massive rain dump was just too much. The river went they my garage thru the train room and thru the back rooms of my garage
My train room is ruined. I lost all of my tools soldering stations etc not too mention my trains. My peco wagons although drowned in flood mud should be ok.
fingers crossed it will be ok when the insurance assessor turns up in the morn
But as always there are so many who lost their entire homes and most still no power. We had a genset so good and hot showers were great. Our homes has been a bit of a motel for those without and no that out power has come back on my genset is at a neighbours house
As with every disaster it's great to see everyone helping each other out
Bart
Bart, that's awful!! We have had bad weather and flooding down here in Wollongong, but nowhere near as bad as that!!
I saw the houses getting swept away at Dungog on the news, and thought, 'they always cop it worse in the north'
All the best, and please keep us informed, or by pm to me, please?
George
Bart, I'm very sorry to hear that. It sounds frightening.
Glad you and your home are ok. Very sorry about the layout.
Thanks guys. The main line to Brisbane run near behind my home and about 5 minutes up the road its a total wash away. Dungogs not far away and to see the damage. Maitland is one big pond. We have had so many stories far worse then mine. I know the main white goods that are ruined are an easy fix but I was totally gutted when my garage "went under". It's a big tools and toys wondeand and getting in there today to clear it out and then the train room and opening up drawer after drawer to see wet locos was sad. But our main home is ok slightly damp but fine and at the end of the day the family is safe and some toys got wet
Bart
So sorry to hear of your disaster maybe the Locos will dry out after time in the summer but as you say at the end of the day they are only boys toys and if the insurance pays out they can be replaced at least you and your wife are Ok and as you say the house isn't too bad .
Still very bad news though,
Bob
Aaron, I feel sure I write for many by saying that we cannot begin to imagine the disaster or the aftermath. I feel sure that everyone wishes they could be around to help even if it is to help dry things out!
Please keep us informed of developments.
Regards, Peter.
For those who need better information:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-32407859 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-32407859)
Very best wishes for getting everything sorted out, Bart.
The main thing is everyone dear to you is safe.
Bart
A bit of a shock for you and the wife I know but at least you are both OK and hopefully insurance will cover most of the damage.
Here's hoping you can sort out the mess with ease and get back to normality ASAP.
Can't help with the locos but have a few spare Peco wagons if you are in need.
Ray
Very sorry to hear this - I was very relieved to hear that you and your loved ones are well though, it's also great to see people helping others out - good on you :)
That's awful...many years ago my grandmother lived in a small ground level old people's bungalow in South Wales close to the river ebbw when I was no more than 14/15.. that was subject to a flash flood and was 4ft high in water in a matter of minutes...hopefully you will be able to replace the toys through your insurance but as others have said the most important thing is you are all OK..
So sorry to hear about your house getting flooded with mud and water Bart, I do hope you and your fellow neighbours can getback to norm ASAP, take care and all the very best.
I can only echo what previous people have said, it sounds completely awful and unimaginable. Makes you realise how ineffectual we are really if the elements do decide to turn on us. I'm sure all your NGF friends would agree that we'll do whatever we can to support you over the coming weeks, even if most of us are a long way away.
Good luck with everything.
Hi all
Today's off to a better start. We have power!
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and to ray for the offer of the peco wagons
Just on radio they have said high at maitland(the main street in town)water level is starting to rise, I guess the water from up the valley has started to make it's way down here. Nicole is going into work the shop today hopefully no stick damage
Apparently we are supposed to get another Storm this weekend. At least we will be prepared this time round(home made sandbag curtesy of the pillow cases)
At work I'm sure I will be pumping water or similar as Sydney is just as bad
Airing out the shed found my ngs inspection car. I think it's the best weathering job I've scene looks totally natural although it look like someone has wash the insides out😢
More stories every hour of lucky escapes or people worse off
Anyway back to the clean up
Thanks again everyone
Bart
My sincerest condolences to you Bart. And, I hope that you get things back on the rails literally and figuratively before long.
As most of us here in Australia have come to realise especially after the last few years, this is a land of drought, floods, and fire. Here in Canberra we had a bushfire that destroyed 500 homes in 2003, a flood in 1971 drowned 7 people in my suburb, and we had the drought 2002-2010 that may not have killed anyone directly but ruined lives. This doesn't help you, but at least you can be assured that the rest of us understand your plight.
Webbo
Hi Bart
Glad to hear you're all okay - bummer about the trains :( . Guess you have some well weathered stock now!
As Webbo said we live in this land of extremes and so often hear of others plight from storms, bush fires etc, but it doesn't stop the worry about friends across the states. The pictures I've seen on TV probably don't do justice to the real nightmare of living through it.
Been caught in a flash flood once - terrifying is all I can say.
Stay safe and fingers crossed that the second storm does not bring similar damage.
Hey
Things are looking up. Just had a parcel delivered and it was my replacement class 31 loco from hattons.
At least I have one loco not flood damaged, only problem can't test it as I lost the gauge master combi and my power can
Thanks again everyone
Bart
At least you haven't lost your cheery outlook, Bart. :thumbsup:
Heads up, mate.
George
Wow. Just picked up on the news. Sounds like you had a close escape Bart.
As Bealman says, heads up and I hope you (and your insurance co) sort things out quickly
Some good and bad news.
Curtesy of ngf member Peter I have now a copy of the class 52 booklet so thanks a million mate I really appreciate you send it across from the uk. I had to throw out all my rail mags and three years of ngs journey all trashed
And now the bad news,just got told via the grape vine so not sure how true but bunnings hardware my second home is about to collapse as a big sink hole has opened up under it. Then again not surprise as it was once a watercourse when I was a kid before developers filled the gully
Cheers bart
Our sympathy goes out to you and yours Bart. Insurance once told me that they would far rather pay out on possessions than lives.
All the best for the future
Don't ever let me complain about our British weather again ! Bart - best wishes to you & your family , hope that it doesn't take too long for you to get operational again . Sorry about the train room though , what a bummer !! Best wishes , Ric
Glad you're all ok Bart. Hopefully the insurance will pay up promptly and you can start the mk2 layout with all the improvements you wish you'd done the first time around :)
Ouch... thats horrendous. Glad you are at least still with us.
For the old NGS magazines you can get them on CD which also leaves a lot more space for train books.
Alan
Bart, I am very sorry to hear of your losses and the damage - it must be heartbreaking. I am glad you and your loved ones are in one piece and I hope that getting back to normal doesn't take too long.
Best wishes,
Oz
That sounds terrible. As someone who battles floods a few times a year, I can understand to a degree, although I haven't lost anywhere near as much gear as you. All the best.
Hieee guys as said before thanks heaps for the support. Hattons have just emailed me my invoices to give to the insurance company. Quick service. Only spoke to them via live chat an hour ago.
I may not be able to replace the exact loco due to but I will be able to get its replacement model
Cheers bart
Hi Bart,
Must admit when I first saw the title of your post I thought some one had damaged a loco or piece of track and didn't bother to read the post. If I posted everytime I damaged a point everyone would be bored to death. 10 points in bits as spares at the last count.
So sorry to hear it was a real disaster and damaged prized possessions including your second home. Pleased that it did not damage all of your house and hope the insurance company serve you well. Hope Nicole is coping too. Best wishes for the future.
Dave
Hi Bart
We've just returned from holiday.
So sorry to hear of the disaster which has befallen you. I wish you well with the cleanup and hope that the insurers cover everything.
Martin
And from me Bart sorry to hear this. Hope you can salvage or perhaps ebay the weathered items... No returns accepted. Maybe Antique toys will give you a good price.
Jerry
Terrible news Bart, must have been terrifying but glad you are both ok. Let's hope the insurance company play ball and you get up and running again real soon.
Awful news, glad you & your family are ok. Hope you can get everything back to normal soon.
cheers, Stu.
Sounds terrible I hope you all recover as quickly as possible and the insurance make life as easy as possible
I've only just seen this thread and can only echo what the others say. The main thing is that you and those around you are ok mate. Keep your chin up and don't let the insurance company get away with underfunding you. Do you also have pictures on here (or Photobucket, youtube etc) which can be used for the insurance?