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Farmer Who Only Just Got Out Of Debt From Drought Now Devastated With NSW Flooding

Farmer Who Only Just Got Out Of Debt From Drought Now Devastated With NSW Flooding

Third-generation dairy farmer Douglas is now faced with heavily culling the cows that survived because he can't keep and feed them.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A farmer has opened up on the pain and frustration he's experiencing with the New South Wales flooding.

Douglas Johnston is one of thousands who are affected by the one in 100 year weather event that is hitting parts of Australia hard.

The third-generation dairy farmer struggled to hold back tears as he told ABC's 7:30 about the devastation of finally getting out of debt from the drought and then be lashed with something like this.

He told the national broadcaster the storms have washed away sheds and cows and he doesn't know what he's going to do.

"We were devastated during the drought, we were probably down to our last couple of months," he said.

"We couldn't have survived much longer.

"We've only just got ourselves out of debt from the drought. And now the flood has hammered us. So I don't know how we can carry on."

When the storms rolled in over the weekend, Douglas and his farm was cut off by the flood waters.

At one point, Mr Johnston and his family considered moving up to the roof of the dairy to escape the floodwaters, which just seemed to keep rising.

What was particularly heartbreaking was not being able to save all his cattle and now dealing with the stress of what he's going to do with the ones that survived.

ABC

"I just had absolutely no hope being able to rescue them before the flood came in - it just came so fast and furious," he told the ABC.

"I've had to remove all my cows from the property to higher ground, and now I'm gonna have to make the big decision to cull very heavily.

"We just can't...we're struggling to have anywhere to keep them and feed them."

Douglas is one of many farmers who have experienced livestock being swept away.

The Mid North Coast horse/livestock flood recovery page has been established to let people in the region know when they come across a stranded animal, whether it's dead or alive.

Users have flocked to upload photos of horses and cows standing on tiny patches of land that aren't yet flooded.

One video was posted of a person in a kayak coming across a cow that was barely able to keep its head above water.

Oscar Watson-Sutherland/Facebook

Another woman begged people in her area to help as the flood waters continue to cause concern.

She wrote: "Are there any horse rescue volunteers in Crescent Heads area please? We are looking at all options to rescue a friend and her 3 horses who is stuck in floodwaters on Maria River Rd and concerns for horses if waters rise further overnight.

"Water at highest land is just over their belly. My friend is alone dealing with this. SES are hoping to get to her tomorrow but still need horse rescue assistance by boat to try to swim them out to higher area."

Animals were being found in all sorts of areas, including in the surf.

Featured Image Credit: ABC

Topics: Australia