Emergency Radios For Flood Effected Victims- Christine Porter ABC Radio interview

Even months after the flooding event in the NSW North coast we are still learning of tales of survival and loss.

While we read in amazement at 63-year-old grandmother  Ann south of Eugowra in the Central west’s heroic fast thinking, helping her daughter and 6 day old grandchild into the roof cavity of her home while she stood on a stool with water up to her chin for four hours whilst also suffering pneumonia. Then sadly hearing her 75-year-old neighbour was not seen again after a rush of water hit the town. ( Source  Smh.com.au  https://bit.ly/3Bb2Evn )
It is also unfortunate that even at the time of writing flooding is affecting various areas of Victoria.

You may recall our blog about Lismore resident and artist Christine Porter who made it her mission to ensure elderly and less able people in that region receive an emergency radio. Not just a shortwave to listen to broadcasts, One with a flashlight, a beacon, and a solar and hand crank power source.
We were very proud to be able to supply our Best Emergency Radio units to her at a discount to contribute to this worthy cause. Click here to read the original blog on our website

(Image of Lismore’s Ballina Street bridge became a rescue spot during its record-breaking flood in February.ABC News: Matt Coble)

Christine Porter was recently interviewed by ABC regional radio. We would like to share this recording with you as it is in fact incredibly insightful.
Here are our main takeaways from it.

Christine mentions that she discovered the emergency radio whilst helping out a friend who had lost everything in the floods.
As stories came out of people being rescued from their roofs, Christine thought about those who would not be able to easily climb onto their roofs.
In fact, right now think about how easy it may be for yourself to climb up on a roof. for many people, it is not that easy, particularly if there is a rush of water heading your way and everything is saturated, let alone if you had any form of ailment or mobility issue.

As we heard earlier retired nurse Ann Souths’ story, she managed to get her daughter and 6 day old granddaughter up through a manhole into a roof cavity. From inside this cavity, their calls could not be heard by any rescuers outside.
Christine confirms in her interview that the sound of the flood was so loud, you couldn’t hear people calling for help. This is one of the reasons she felt the flashing beacon and VERY loud siren were absolutely essential. Christine actually demonstrates the siren in the interview, it is effective, to say the least. Christine mentioned that she tested the flashing light and you could see it from half a KM away which would really help emergency personnel and the community locate you. 
While for Ann south, they were fortunate to still have mobile phone reception, and her daughter was able to call emergency services who had a helicopter rescue them. Lismore was in fact without power for 7-8 days.
The Best Emergency radio has solar and hand crank power for charging. The hand crank is particular;y helpful if there is non stop rain and no sun to charge up the solar panels. A crank can get achieve minute or so charge on your phone to call or text someone in an emergency

When all the power was out it is important to receive radio, particularly emergency radio which has constant updates, As most Television will continue their regular broadcasts and apps need refreshing, not something you want to do too often when your battery is low.

Christine Porter remarks that during the February floods, water reached areas it has never reached before, it was fast and it was devastating. Although the community of Lismore are a resilient bunch, there is still an uneasy feeling every time it rains and the whole town is on edge.
Without power having a radio to listen to for updates is very reassuring for residents.
Christine Porter talks about the fact that even though she was on higher ground when it rained again she would feel uneasy herself and stay up all night listening to the radio for updates.

Listen to the radio interview here.

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