The rain was unlike anything seen in recent memory – 106mm poured down in only two and a half hours. It began quietly but soon overwhelmed the drainage system, leaving Fairfield ill-equipped to handle the sheer volume of water cascading through its streets.
For Fairfield’s residents, the morning brought no solace. Instead, it revealed the full scope of destruction left in the flood’s wake.
Scenes from a disaster movie
The Station Street shopping strip, usually a bustling hub of community life, bore the brunt of the deluge.
When the floodwaters receded it resembled something out of a disaster movie: streets littered with broken glass, debris and spoiled stock. Household rubbish bins and their contents were piled up against the railway embankment, creating an impassable blockade.
The pedestrian underpass below the train line was similarly clogged with bins and debris, blocking the flow of water and worsening flooding in surrounding areas. Residents later described it as “looking like a warzone”. People wandered around dazed and shocked, trying to grasp the scale of the devastation.
The flooding wasn’t just confined to shops:
- The nearby primary school was encircled by what residents described as a “sea of floodwater”
- Homes and schools across Fairfield and the broader City of Darebin were extensively damaged
- Between 4,000 and 7,000 properties were affected, with Fairfield and Thornbury taking the worst of it
- The Victorian State Emergency Service received an overwhelming 650 calls for assistance, as desperate residents sought help to mitigate the damage.
One of the most harrowing sights unfolded under the Bulleen Road bridge on the Eastern Freeway. Chest-high floodwaters trapped several motorists, forcing them to climb onto the roofs of their vehicles to escape. In response, Melbourne’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade deployed two maritime response unit boats. By the time the motorists were brought to safety, their abandoned vehicles had become submerged in the rising waters.
Chaos, courage and compassion
The emotional toll was equally devastating, as the community grappled with the aftermath:
- Backyard chickens, guinea pigs and other cherished pets were swept away by the floodwaters
- One family recounted the terror of their dog being trapped under their house, paddling for nearly two hours before it was rescued
- The financial burden of damaged property and lost possessions added to the emotional strain, leaving many people feeling hopeless.
Yet amidst the despair, Fairfield’s residents showed an incredible spirit of resilience and community. The floods may have tested Fairfield, but they also brought out the best in its people.
Neighbours checked on each another, offering support and help wherever it was needed. One woman prepared food hampers and handed out chocolate to keep spirits up during the cleanup efforts.
Local councils and welfare agencies rallied to support affected residents. They not only coordinated the cleanup but also created spaces for the community to come together, share their stories, and process their grief.
