Zoe set for big mop up
IN HER 20 years as a hairdresser in Giru, Zoe Hughes has only once had a small amount of floodwater from the Haughton River enter her salon, until last week.
Water from what locals say is one of the longest floods on record pushed more than 30cm of water through Ms Hughes’ Carey St salon.
“I had precautions – I had flood boards … I have never really had it through like this,” Ms Hughes said.
“I had one flood and it came through a little bit at our biggest height which I think was 2008.
“Last year was a record flood and I didn’t get any water in because I had the flood boards in so they stayed and held and it was all fine.
“I think this was just too high and it has come over the top and spilt all through the shop.”
Ms Hughes lives on a property to the west of Giru, which remains impassable by road, and was flown in by helicopter to inspect the damage to her salon earlier this week.
“All the bottom of everything has gotten absolutely soaked, I lost stock on all my shelves,” Ms Hughes said.
“(Thursday) we got the gernie and washed it all out and sludged the mud, it was thick with mud.
“Everything has just turned to mould, every surface of the whole shop, so we are having to wash each individual thing down because it is a health hazard too.”
Only a third of the way through and already the damage bill is estimated to be about $10,000 with five wheelie bins of flood-damaged stock and a number of items or destroyed furniture already thrown away.
“All the floor is going to have to be redone, from at least three bricks (of the wall) down is going to have to be repainted,” Ms Hughes said.
“Shelving, storage, things like that are going to have to be replaced and functionality is going to be a real problem, everything is like finding a needle in a haystack.”
Most Giru residents were able to start the clean-up on Thursday, however, some low lying areas of Giru still remained underwater.
“I am super lucky because we have the best communitylike spirit with everyone helping out, even if it was an hour, they have all jumped in and given me a hand, without that I would probably be in a heap, crying somewhere,” Ms Hughes said. “I am just so grateful for everybody.”