The water has gone. That brown stuff is mud
It is amazing how quickly the water went away. We went early Friday morning to assess when we could begin the clean up. Fortunately, my brother was organised with cleaning equipment and a plan. We were among the first to arrive on the scene and start work. I don’t know if you have ever seen the aftermath of a flood – it is not pretty.
in case we get tired
the back door to the house
We walked around the outside of the house through filthy mud. The windows were open so we could see the muddy scene inside.
inside the house
it all has to go
rubbish all around the house
rubbish caught in windows
A washing machine had fallen across the door, so it wasn’t easy to get into the house.
breaking in
the laundry
the kitchen bench
do you think we need new curtains?
the bathroom
toilet
Everything had to be hauled outside to enable us to hose the mud out.
the contents of the kitchen cupboards
muddy rubbish starts to gather on the footpath
Now for the good news.
the water didn't make it to the top floor
And we had lots of help with the clean up. From early in the morning we had friends and family arriving ready to get to work. Strangers were stopping asking if they could help. We were managing quite well by ourselves, so we sent them to where there was more need, but some stayed anyway and picked up a broom.
the lovely Tom
Tom's lovely friend
washing off the mud
pushing the mud out of the house
Jim cleaning the bathroom
the rubbish builds
the muddy street is full of activity
Top marks to our local member of Parliament (and ex Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd, who dropped in to distribute hand sanitiser. Earlier, members of his staff had arrived in the street in working gear, eager and ready to help.
Kevin Rudd (in the middle) drops in to lend a hand
In the next post I will show you the results of all the hard work. Click here to see the clean house.