CFA firefighters battle floods

Jan. 20, 2011

Fill over 20,000 sandbags, add a few hundred volunteers including local CFA members, a huge dose of community spirit and a whole lot of hard work and you have the township of Warracknabeal pulling together as it prepares to battle the flooding of nearby Yarriambiak Creek.

Tuesday it was all hands on deck as members of the Warracknabeal Urban Fire Brigade (WUFB) joined their colleagues from the State Emergency Service (SES), Red Cross and Victoria Police, along with local service groups and Yarriambiak Shire staff to prepare their small town for the predicted floods.

According to the SES around 200 homes are expected to be hit by floodwaters with 84 homes predicted to be directly inundated or isolated. A further 140 will also be affected. Currently the Yarriambiack Creek is expected to peak at the town on Wednesday night.

The town’s two shire depots were full of dozens of emergency service volunteers and local townspeople of all ages filling and stacking sandbags which are being strategically placed around town. Volunteers from local service clubs also spent time this afternoon doorknocking the 84 homes tipped to be inundated.

WUFB captain Ron Zanker says that his members have done an amazing job, which included helping to shovel and pack over 20,000 sandbags. He was full of praise for his brigade whom he said had put in a huge effort. “Everyone in town has pulled together, no-one has stood back,” he says.

Read more

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!