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Community

30 October, 2024

Award for cyclone hero Jessica

With the anniversary of Cyclone Jasper’s visit to the Far North fast approaching, the recollections of that pre-Christmas period are still strong in people’s minds.

By GAZZA

Jessica Alexandratos (right) receives her certificate of appreciation from Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon. Picture: Supplied
Jessica Alexandratos (right) receives her certificate of appreciation from Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon. Picture: Supplied

For some, the effects of the wind and heavy rain are still more than just a memory.

As many prepared for last year’s festive season, hoping for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, few expected the nearly 6m dumping of rain in certain areas, which turned roads into rivers and brought with it those dreadful muddy flood waters to both businesses and homes.

Clearing up without tap water and power was far from an easy task, as people also contemplated the prospects of endless insurance claim paperwork and numerous other potential complications.

What we do know, in amongst the chaos of the days and weeks to follow, was that without certain local heroes stepping up to the task, the situation may have been far more tragic.

Just recently, on October 10 at Mossman Gorge, the Douglas Shire Council acknowledged these individuals, together with the community groups that played their part in many different ways.

The tough tasks varied in many ways from locals rescuing flooded people and pets in tinnies, the delivery of food and equipment, individuals just simply getting their hands dirty with a shovel, to others setting up community hubs to assist with coordination through the mayhem.

One such local hero is Jessica Alexandratos, a registered nurse who lives in Wonga Beach. 

Muddy memories for local businesses and homes after last year’s floods.
Muddy memories for local businesses and homes after last year’s floods.
Local heroes giving a helping hand. Pictures: Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy
Local heroes giving a helping hand. Pictures: Gary ‘Gazza’ McIlroy

While her own house was located in a high-risk area, she was still committed to helping others. 

With her qualified nursing skills, Jessica offered her services to members of the community, delivering medication to those who were in need of it, or unable to leave their homes. In some cases, this was via a tinny down what should have been a road. 

She helped set up a nurse’s hub at Wonga Beach School and checked in on those who were known to the community with mental health issues, plus assistance of the elderly.  

“I stayed up most of the night when the flood was starting, as I live in a flood-prone area. Fortunately, my home is on stumps and sat just above the water where I was able to get into a four-wheel drive and make it through the flood water out of our property,” she said.

“I thought that I should find a way to help, especially as a nurse, so I went down to the Wonga Beach school which had opened as an evacuation hub. I figured that if people needed help and could get out, that would be the place most people would think to come to.”

Jessica was given access to the school sick bay to set up first aid supplies. By asking around she was able to get a small stock of medications that came in handy. 

Hearing another area of Wonga had severe flooding and that they had boats to get people out, Jessica jumped into her vehicle and went down to where the river had broken its banks. 

On arrival, there were a number of locals collecting people in tinnies from their flooded homes and bringing them to safety. 

Jessica met another friend, who is also a nurse, and together they made an assessment of any injuries, including those in shock.  

“There were some faces which I will never forget, with that look of just disbelief and fear,” she said.

“It was scary being cut off by the rivers, knowing we couldn’t get access to the hospital or get an ambulance in.” 

Humbly, Jessica was very surprised to receive a nomination for this recent acknowledgement event and has never thought of herself as a hero.  

“I am a member of my community who could step in, when that community most needed me,” she said.

Not all responded to the initial invitation from the council but others acknowledged included: Allison and Boydie Baird, Brooke Nikora, Cameron Case, Craig and Tracey Butland, Douglas Shire Water Reticulation Team, Gary Mackay, Heather McGuilvery Taylor, Jessica Alexandratos, Jo Jeske, Julian Simon, Liza Dowling, Michael Lilley, Natascha Schwarzer, Peter Logan, Prue Patch, Sara Talacz, Tarren Woodhams, Tyson Dethridge, Beau Jorgensen, Barry Costain, Chad Morache, Corin Teague, Dean Jack, Jacqui Osborne, Kyme Bennett and Stuart Yendle.

No extra words are needed for these great heroes, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au

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