floods recovery not happening

[Luci]

I have PTSD from natural disasters, I’ve been through many and survived, albeit had to start again from nothing. 
Currently, I feel like all my efforts get no reward, I’ve been trying to recover from the 2022 Northern Rivers floods and the subsequent evacuation in 2025, noting it just hasn’t really stopped raining for long.

I had applied for my house to be raised, I waited a year to find out they hadn’t got back to me because they lost my paperwork. I appealed got a review, and got anpproval for house to raised. All of which is a lot of time and effort and not easy.

Did I mention no one helped me, I’m a senior, there’s been a lot of heavy, even Council stopped the one trailer free to tip, I discovered after borrowing trailer and lifting heavy things into it, only to have to bring them home. 
For work to be done I’ve had to demolish carports and aviaries, because they had birds I had make new aviaries down the back shady yard and keep birds warm in very cold and wet winter. I did save to pay people to weld aviary BUT that was like watching Laurel and Hardy and that aviary is still in pieces.

It has taken a long time to meet all the documentation requirements and building approvals and been a lot of work and I feel like it’s been false hope. I’ve done so much for nothing, I feel helpless and hopeless, like it’s not worth trying anymore. The Raising House Program contacted me this week and said they will only cover costs of existing building areas, which means I have a back deck raised but they won’t cover stairs, or railings. what this means is if there’s a fire and I go to back deck, I have to jump off 2 metres, I can’t al this moving things caused me to have a hip replacement, and a knee replacement. Also, they’ll only cover stairs from front door to ground and not the walkway to side door, which means to get to electricity metre box I’d have to use a ladder. Everyone knows you often find out the power is out when the lights go off, at night, and here it is usually raining or cold.

I’ve waited so long got help, I’ve done so much work for nothing, I’ve been living in a scrap yard, my house is like a cupboard full of boxes of things I can’t access, I’ve had to put up sheds to store stuff that has been ruined by rain. I’ve wasted years trying to recover have no friends, or family, I feel overwhelmed, anxious.

The only family I have is my severely disabled brother, I’ve been his guardian for 15 years and engage carers, do shopping, meet medical needs, all his needs,

[Sophie_M]

Hi Luci,

A very warm welcome to the Forums. We’re truly glad you’ve found your way here and felt comfortable enough to share your story. What you’ve been through, first in 2022 and now again more recently, is deeply distressing. The impact of a natural disaster can be huge, and often only those who’ve lived through it can fully understand the emotional and physical toll it takes.

It’s heartbreaking to hear how difficult the journey has been in trying to access support, and how this has impacted your health. Surviving a disaster is one thing, but facing the slow loss of hope when the systems meant to help fall short is another kind of pain.

It sounds like so much of this has fallen on your shoulders, and that’s an incredibly heavy burden to carry alone. We want you to know that you’re not alone here. This space is yours to share whatever you’re feeling, whenever you need to.

You may have already explored many support options, but just in case, here are a few that might be worth revisiting:

• Recovery Support Services
  A free, long-term service that can connect you with a Recovery Support Worker to help navigate your unique needs and link you with appropriate services.
  Find local contact details here
• Disaster Assistance Finder
  A tool to help identify programs and services tailored to your situation.
• Crisis and Other Help – Services Australia
  Offers Crisis Payments, Special Benefit, and advance lump sum payments for those facing financial hardship. Community Engagement Officers can also assist in navigating available services.

If these are resources you’ve already tried multiple times, we sincerely apologise. It’s incredibly frustrating to feel like you’re going in circles when all you need is real, tangible help.

Please know that we’re here to support you as you continue to navigate this difficult time. You deserve to feel heard, supported, and cared for. If you ever feel like talking to someone, Beyond Blue counsellors are available 24/7 on 1300 224 636 or via webchat.

Thank you again for sharing with us. While we may not have all the answers, we’re here to walk alongside you, and we’ll continue to be here whenever you need.

Warm regards,
Sophie M

[Luci]

Thanks for your compassion, it’s been truly hard, for all the organisations and groups funded to help and I honestly couldn’t even get a set of curtains. Makes you wonder what it’s all for if not for the actual people who need help.

[Luci]

I shouldn’t be so negative when today the man down the street gave me a front door for a bag of pennies. I just have to see if it fits and clean it up, give it a coat of varnish, put the door knob and lock from old front door I kept because I have the keys and no draught and mosquitoes. So there’s little things that give hope.