When dawn breaks on Maitland today the worst of a low pressure system will hopefully have passed but the hard work will have only begun.
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Many of us will do what we can to help friends, family and neighbours in need. Others can help if they simply stay out of the way.
Don’t play in flood water and please resist the urge to rubber-neck.
Both could place emergency services at further risk.
Yesterday was devastating.
Lives were lost.
At this sombre time let us reflect on what is important and acknowledge the character for which Maitland people are known.
It is part of this city’s historic fabric, much like our physical protection systems and the levee system, which once more kept the worst of the water at bay.
The State Emergency Service was born out of the 1955 flood and these volunteers continue to serve us well.
Emergency services must be commended too.
Firefighters were called to more than 1200 storm-related incidents between 6am and 3pm yesterday in the Hunter.
More than 3400 Triple-0 calls were taken in that time.
In this time extra Fire and Rescue units came to Maitland’s aid.
For this we are grateful.
Special mention must go to those who rescued a 45-year-old Greta woman and her two children, aged nine and 12, when their house was washed from its foundations.
Crews again came to the rescue of two people trapped in flood waters on John Renshaw Drive at Beresfield.
Neither can we forget the four people rescued from flood waters, which submerged a Kearsley home.
Most of all our thoughts are with the friends and families who lost loved ones at Dungog.
As we begin the count the cost of this storm we will realise that our health and safety is most important.
Belongings can be replaced, lives cannot.