Leanne and Tony Schwager have been safely marooned on their own island at their Wee Waa property ‘Eden Park’ for days.
“We’ve been cut off since Friday afternoon, but we have our own levee around the house, so we feel safe,” said Mrs Schwager.
The Schwager’s home is less than 10 kilometres to Wee Waa, but outside the town’s levee, down Vera Leap Road on Eden Lane.
“Just on the other side of our levee, where our road is – the water is probably about a metre deep.
“I would hate to think how deep it is further out – you definitely wouldn’t get in.
“We’ve moved anything of any value inside the levee, and we feel grateful that we didn’t get massive amounts of the scrub water.
“We would be really worried if there was a storm with 100 millimetres and we were a bit anxious on Sunday with that storm.
“We were on the edge of it and the clouds were just swirling like crazy.
“Some of our wheat crops are underwater, we were elated to get most of it off and do really feel for others.
“It’s not our main source of income, so it’s okay.”
Mrs Schwager said, “every flood is different”.
“I think the vegetation has been holding the water back this time.
“It’s been different because the water from the river came the other way.”
The Schwagers experienced flooding in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2016 and like many Wee Waarians, they have done their best to prepare.
“We moved here in 2008 and one of the first things we did was get the levee fixed up,” said Mrs Schwager.
“I don’t get stressed easily but I’ve always said I wouldn’t leave Tony here by himself, I don’t think just one person should be here.”
Mrs Schwager would normally travel into Wee Waa every day for work at St Joseph’s Primary School.
However, during the floods, the talented florist is keeping busy by mowing the lawn and tending to her beautiful garden.
“I’m even thinking about pulling the sewing machine out and Tony is catching up on a few jobs and starting new projects.
“We’re feeling safe here at the moment.”
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