Collection 3: Flooding in Manly, the Hawkesbury, and northern NSW, March 2022, photographs by Matthew Abbott

sub-fonds

8-14 March 2022

Graphic Materials, Photographs

9665297

16 photographs - digital, camera raw, colour

16 digital photographs documenting major flooding and the resulting aftermath in the Sydney suburb of Manly; Lower Portland on the Hawkesbury River; and Main Arm, near Mullumbimby and East Lismore in northern NSW. Images show scenes of local residents, flooded streets and properties, as well as the aftermath and relief efforts which were largely organised by the communities themselves.

Item 01: A schoolgirl and residents wade through flash floods in the Queenscliff area after the Manly dam overflowed, 8 March 2022
Item 02: NSW State Emergency Services help evacuate residents caught by flash floods in the Queenscliff area after the Manly dam overflowed, 8 March 2022
Item 03: NSW State Emergency Services help evacuate residents caught by flash floods in the Queenscliff area after the Manly dam overflowed, 8 March 2022
Item 04: Residents attempt to move a vehicle that became stranded during the flash floods in the Queenscliff area, 8 March 2022
Item 05: Residents visit the outlet at Queenscliff beach where most of the water from the overflowing Manly dam will pass through, 8 March 2022
Item 06: Joshua Schmidt and Joana Zoth travel through Lower Portland to a friend that needs help after their own homes were submerged by Hawkesbury River floodwaters, 9 March 2022
Item 07: An aerial photo of Lower Portland which has been completely submerged by severe flooding of the Hawkesbury River, 9 March 2022
Item 08: A small boat and jet ski meet Darren Osmotherly's barge to load supplies for delivery to stranded residents cut off by the Hawkesbury River flood, 9 March 2022
Item 09: Darren Osmotherly on his barge, which helped get supplies to people cut off by floods, drives past submerged cabins at Lower Portland, NSW, 9 March 2022
Item 10: NVDA (Non Violent Direct Action) Eco Warriors environmental group set up a hub to offer food and assistance to the community affected by floods, Lismore, NSW, 13 March 2022
Item 11: NVDA (Non Violent Direct Action) Eco Warriors environmental group set up a hub to offer food and assistance to the community affected by floods, Lismore, NSW, 13 March 2022
Item 12: The Terrace Bar had the side of the building ripped off during the record breaking floods, Lismore, NSW, 13 March 2022
Item 13: A 'Help Needed' sign on a street waiting to have flood damaged items removed in East Lismore, NSW, 13 March 2022
Item 14: Artist Toni Clarke has travelled to empty her rubbish into a skip, as floods have left the roads unfit for trucks, Palm Woods, near Main Arm, NSW, 14 March 2022
Item 15: Roadworks commence to fix kilometres of roads destroyed by floods and landslides in Main Arm, NSW, 14 March 2022
Item 16: Mark Quinn walks through a massive landslide that narrowly missed his property after the floods, Main Arm, NSW, 14 March 2022

In copyright:
Copyright holder:: Matthew Abbott. Permission must be sought from Matthew Abbott prior to reproducing these works.
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy Matthew Abbott

During late February to early April 2022, Australia’s east coast experienced record rains and widespread flooding.

Manly Dam began to overflow on 8 March, leading to evacuation alerts for lower lying areas and flash flooding across the suburb.

Areas along the Hawkesbury River including Lower Portland experienced major flooding worse than the previous floods of March 2021.

Record floods in Lismore resulted in thousands of residents being made homeless and untold damage to houses, buildings and businesses. The small community of Main Arm near Mullumbimby was completely cut off by floodwaters, damaged roads and multiple landslides.

References:
2022 Australian flooding. CDP. Accessed 9 March 2023. https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/2022-australian-flooding/

Mackenzie, B., Power, C. 'Amazing tale of survival in Main Arm after landslip pulls house off its foundations and down a slope'. ABC. Accessed 9 March 2023. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-03/an-amazing-tale-of-survival-in-main-arm/100879708

Gilmore, H. 'This wasn’t a flood, it was a demolition': How can Lismore survive?. Sydney Morning Herald. 6 March 2022.

Library acquisition file