Slim Dusty said it best when he sang 'there's-a nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer' and thanks to Port Stephens SES, that was prevented last week with the delivery of kegs by boat to the Victoria Hotel in Hinton.
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The Raymond Terrace-based SES unit delivered 21 kegs of beer plus other essential items to the town of about 450 people in the west of Port Stephens last Thursday after it was cut off by flood water.
"During times of flood the Hinton pub has always been where the community has gathered and come together to build resilience," Port Stephens SES unit commander David Douglas said.
"We've been working towards maintaining normality to the community and ensuring that a meeting place can stay open and trade. We also transported other essential supplies, medications and essential service providers such as hospital staff and disability support workers.
"Other members also assisted with critical welfare checks, livestock and community information. When roads are out, boats take their place."
The pub's owner, Lainey Goldspring, was grateful to see the beer delivery. "It was a sight for sore eyes; it was lovely," she said.
The Hunter River at Raymond Terrace peaked at the minor flood level of 2.50 metres at 3.45am on Thursday. Hinton became cut off in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
In addition to Hinton, water flooded into low-lying parts of Raymond Terrace including Hunter, Swan and Glenelg streets, parts of Newline Road and the carpark under the William Bailey Bridge.
From Thursday through to the weekend, Port Stephens SES used two flood boats to run a ferry service along the swollen Hunter River to Morpeth, two kilometres upstream, so cut-off Hinton residents could obtain the essentials.
The flood boat's crew included Hinton locals. Ethan Hansen was at the bow, helping pick a path through the debris in the river, and Greg Smith was the driver, dealing with the water surging along at about 10km/h.
"There's such a lot of water," Mr Smith said. "It's the most inundation I've seen here in 22 years in Hinton."
Mr Smith said locals poured out to help unload the kegs. Some of those who helped carry the beer were sipping it on Friday. The hotel has been the community hub during the flood. Out the front on Friday, a cricket match was underway on the road, while on the pub's veranda, people gathered and yarned.
One of those having a drink was dairy farmer Darren Wilson. The floods were washing away his livelihood. With no way to transport the milk, he was tipping out about 2000 litres each day. All he could do was feed his 110 milking cows and wait for the water to drop sufficiently, which he reckoned wouldn't be until next week.
"You just deal with it," he said.
Roads closed
Port Stephens Council road crews on Friday began working on making the rain-affected section of Medowie Road at Campvale, closest to the Richardson Road roundabout, stable enough to seal and reopen to vehicles.
"With a break in the wet weather, our road crew is working on drying the road pavement in preparation for bitumen seal. The road pavement placed before the rain event is heavily saturated and our crews will be working overtime to support reinstatement of the road as soon as possible."
The council said it has been flooded with reports of potholes. "We are doing our best to patch the roads as soon as possible. Bear with us while we take advantage of the good weather."
To report road damage go to portstephens.nsw.gov.au and click on the "Report and Request" icon. On Tuesday, 12 roads in Raymond Terrace, Campvale, Glen Oak, Hinton, Osterley and Wallalong remained closed.
Flood assistance
Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has emergency relief funding available to support families affected by flooding. Residents of Hinton, Osterley, Nelsons Plains, Glen Oak and surrounds, or the flood-affected streets in Raymond Terrace, in need of basic supplies (food, clothing or other essential items) can call the service on (02) 4987 1331.