Worst of times brings out the best in people
SCARED of being stranded and unable to report on the evolving flood crisis, I was among the first residents in Townsville to evacuate.
I simply couldn’t be stuck in Idalia and cover the floods for the Townsville Bulletin, so I packed a bag, a few priceless possessions and left home on Thursday.
In the days that followed I saw the brutality of mother nature and the generosity of humanity like I’d never witnessed before.
My colleagues welcomed me into their homes and busted their backs providing the community with essential news on the disaster.
When things were at their worst on Sunday night, the team and I were so taken aback by harrowing calls for help and focused on informing the community I didn’t stop to think about my home and possessions.
On Monday I got a message from my sister in New South Wales …. “what did you leave behind, Sam?”
I’m sure almost every victim of the floods had a comparable moment … when you created a list in your mind of what you’d likely lost.
Family photos, sentimental items, holiday souvenirs, precious memorabilia … these were the items that came to my mind.
On Monday afternoon my good friend and Bulletin photographer Zak Simmonds flew over the city in a helicopter. When I asked him if he spotted my house he dropped his head and said: “It doesn’t look good mate.”
The next day we were out on the roads together, covering the devastation, and decided to check out my house.
The damage was significant, but nothing compared to others in my street. I was one of the lucky ones, my most valued possessions had survived.
My friends and colleagues have given up their free time to spend days helping with the clean-up while strangers have dropped off food and drinks to lift spirits.
In my job I often see people at their worst but the aftermath of this natural disaster has shown me humanity at its best.