Helping Residents Have Power During Flooding

The recent floods wreaked havoc across the region, leaving businesses underwater, and residents without power, but thanks to Ingham Motorcycles & Mowers many members of the community were able to turn on their lights.

As floodwaters surged, the store faced its own battle, with water levels reaching higher than any previous flood in the last 30 years. Despite the challenges, they quickly pivoted to provide assistance where it was needed most.

Generators became essential and owner Christine Pagliuso said they sold 80 generators during the week of the flooding.

With flooding not completely devastating the store, Ingham Motorcycles & Mowers were able to stay open, and people in the community could purchase generators.

With road closures the business had to rely on alternative transport solutions, including Queensland Rail, which played a crucial role in ensuring the generators reached those in need.

The team met with a few flood blocks when trying to transport more generators to the region as they were initially deemed non-essential and were being turned away. Fortunately, they received assistance and Christine expressed her thanks to Nick Dametto MP for his persistence in getting the generators through.

Post flooding, Ingham Motorcyles & Mowers has been busy with requests for repairs and replacements of flood-damaged goods.

"We’re prioritising mowers and generator repairs, people need to cut their grass, and with a threat of a tropical low hanging around people are very nervous about losing power. So the generators are still important,” said Christine.

Christine expects the recovery process is going to be long, she expects anywhere between 12 months to two years, for her store to return to normal operations.

“There’s more damage this time than there was with Cyclone Yasi, the flood just came up so fast, and even people that have lived through this weren't ready for this,” she said.