Where do I start?
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While they were the words I thought as I surveyed the damage around my home and in the street I live on Friday morning, they're also applicable now.
Where do I start to thank everyone who is helping our community recover?
Since the tornado blew through our city at 10pm on Thursday, October 14, we have seen so many volunteers, workers etc come to assist. So many of them have come from other towns, while locally we have seen people, including school students, lend a hand.
On Friday morning Essential Energy staff guided us around fallen powerlines in my street, and soon the clean-up started. This is where it gets harder to try and remember everyone. So many have been there to assist.
I took the picture above in my backyard on Saturday as the SES crew from Muswellbrook got to work on the giant gum tree and big pine tree that had fallen.
The trees destroyed the carport at my place and my neighbour's, and caused some damage to our homes, but it could have been much worse. We're among the lucky ones.
I am writing this from a motel room, but at least I know I will have my home to return to, possibly as soon as this week.
While it might be difficult to remember who to thank right now, I do have some positives I have taken out of the last few days.
I feel I know my neighbours a lot better now. It's probably from the shared experience we've gone through, but I also feel the fence that was knocked down by the tree and shed is symbolic. We can walk through each other's yards.
Also, the community spirit as a whole shines through at a time like this. Our spirits have remained high individually and collectively.
Finally, I can't help but think back to the storm warning we published on Thursday. The first point in the advice from the SES in it is to move cars under cover. It's good advice. Until you combine two big trees and a tornado!
Take care everyone, and have a good week!
Laurie Bullock
Group Editor