Falling through the cracks: 2024 Lismore Flood Zone Survey and Outreach Report
In July 2024 Resilient Lismore returned to homes in the Lismore floodplain and repeated the outreach program that it conducted in June 2023. The 2024 program had two aims:
- To connect residents in the Lismore flood zone with recovery support
- To form a comprehensive evidence-based understanding of Lismore floodplain community needs
This report provides an important snapshot of Lismore floodplain residents’ struggle to recover, as they approach three years since the catastrophic 2022 flood. Ongoing disaster impacts are evident at both the individual/household level and at the social cohesion/community level.
The survey shows that nearly half of the floodplain residents are facing multiple challenges, mainly wellbeing/mental health and financial challenges. It signals a significant unmet need for house repair and rebuild services for people who are not eligible for government programs or who are underinsured. Also, it finds that many residents may be unprepared for a future major flood event and are at the highest risk.
It highlights significant shortfalls in recovery support for households that ‘fall through the cracks’ of existing disaster recovery and preparedness programs. Further support is still needed to meet the particular needs of the people living in the flood zone, many of whom are also navigating challenging personal circumstances such as financial strain or living with a disability.
