“We will look through our spare room over the next few days and give away whatever we don’t need,” she toldBrisbane Times.
Qld Premier Steven Miles said hardship payments have been activated for Bray Park residents,with more suburbs expected to be added.
The Bray Park resident was one of many in the region recovering from the weather event,with almost 400 homes in the area undergoing damage assessments on Wednesday.
“The walls and flooring are all ruined. Everything will need to be ripped up and replaced … Both of our cars are a write-off … We have lost everything in our downstairs storage area.”
Whitfield-De Graaff was only able to salvage some clothes and sentimental items for a friend who occupied the downstairs area of her home and who was overseas.
“He is coming back to basically no belongings.”
Cassie Whitfield-De Graaff’s wife Anique assesses their belongings damaged by flash flooding in Moreton Bay.Cassie Whitfield-De Graaff/Supplied
But despite her hardship,Whitfield-De Graaff joined the growing number of residents offering items to those worse off by giving away an old lounge.
“We wanted to pay it forward. It’s just sitting in our spare room not being used,so we would rather it go to someone who genuinely needs it,” she said.
Whitfield-De Graaff and her wife Anique had lived in the area for over a decade,and were among many who also suffered in the floods two years ago.
But for all the hardship the region had experienced,the community quickly rallied to help. Even a stranger came to their aid.
“We had an amazing man show up on our driveway[on Tuesday] afternoon. He wasn’t affected at all,but he spent his entire day getting in and helping everybody,” Whitfield-De Graaff said.
“Then once he had done what he could,he moved on to help other people. My wife and I are so beyond grateful. It just took off a little bit of pressure in an overwhelming situation.
“It really restored my faith in people.”
She described the clean-up so far as emotionally draining.
“Everybody has been so supportive of each other and helping where possible.
Both of Whitfield-De Graaff’s cars were written off during the flash floods.Cassie Whitfield-De Graaff/Supplied
“There have been multiple people who have grabbed stuff from Costco and have[been] walking the streets offering people food and drinks.”
On Wednesday the state and federal governments agreed to. Applications were open to Bray Park residents,with additional suburbs expected to be included once disaster assessments concluded.
“This latest flooding is a bitter blow for many Bray Park residents who have only just finished cleaning up following the terrible floods of 2022,” Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said.
“The community’s response,however,has been nothing short of inspirational,and the activation of Personal Hardship Assistance will help those hurting right now.”
would provide $180 a person and up to $900 for families of five or more to be able to buy food,clothes,medicine or pay for temporary accommodation.
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