Hundreds of Camden Haven residents and pets have taken refuge at the Laurieton United Services Club during recent flooding in the region.
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It was one of four evacuation centres established across Port Macquarie-Hastings to provide emergency accommodation for residents fleeing from floodwaters.
Dunbogan resident Valerie Goodwin, her partner Ray and dog, Baby were rescued by Camden Haven Marine Rescue on Saturday morning when waters flooded their house.
Mrs Goodwin said they sought shelter in LUSC with only their identification cards, a handbag and the clothes they were wearing.
"We've lost our transport and 90 per cent of what was in the house. The water came up so quick and we were rescued by a Marine Rescue rubber-ducky," she said.
"They drove the boat up to our front door and hauled us in. I've never seen flooding like this in my whole life and I'm almost 80 years old.
"We've been in this area for nine or ten years and I've only seen this kind of flooding on television from Queensland.
"We're going to be here for at least a few more days."
Laurieton United Services Club manager Rob Dwyer said more than 400 people have sought shelter at LUSC over the weekend.
"It's fortunate we have had a lot of community support. We had 105 people stay at the club in the first night and we began building support from there," he said.
"We knew that the increment weather was going to line up with some high tides but the club has never been flooded in the sports bar over the last 30 years I've been here.
"We couldn't hold the water back at the sports bar so people and animals were moved up stairs into the ANZAC room.
"It's fantastic to live in the Camden Haven but sometimes when a disaster happens those low lying areas are in danger and people are displaced."
He said about five foot of water had run through the club's storage and sports bar equating to about $500,000 in damage.
Mr Dwyer thanked staff who have been working extended shifts, volunteers and in particular local electrician Keith Quince who has been volunteering time to make houses electrically safe.
Brigadoon resident Donna Luck sought shelter at the club with four pet rabbits, a parrot and a dog after being rescued by an Armstrong Oyster barge at noon on Saturday.
"I haven't been able to get back home yet. In some places the water was up to the roof of a caravan," she said.
"The animals aren't able to get out and about at LUSC but they are pretty good. We have had support, food and tick treatments while we've been here."
For North Haven, Dunbogan, Diamond Head and the foreshore areas of Laurieton an evacuation centre has been established at Laurieton United Services Club on Seymour Street.
Wauchope residents can attend the evacuation centre at Wauchope Country Club. Wauchope Showground is opening the gates for people needing to evacuate stock with more than 100 new stables available and accommodate for at-risk cattle.
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