Sign companies in flood-ravaged South Lismore, NSW are getting back on their feet after suffering devastating losses as water rose as high as 4.6 metres in some locations and completely submerged workshops.
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| Flood damage at A1 Signs & Graphics, Lismore |
“This is raw, this real and this total devastation!” said owners Craig (pictured right) and Kristel Smith of A1 Signs & Graphics at Three Chain Rd, South Lismore, in a Facebook post.
“Our whole business didn’t survive. We were able to get into our shop to see the horrific mess that was made and we have a long road to recovery ahead!
“We started with nothing 13 years ago and we will restart it again by digging deep, and with the two metal benches that we could save!
"New machinery has been ordered but like everything else being ordered in the world at the moment it will be here as soon as possible.
"There were many tears and I’m sure there’s many more to come...[but] we are the A1 team and we won’t give up on this.”
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| Less than a year ago, Top Dog Signs owner Deb Jackson welcomed a new Roland printer to her business |
Deb Jackson, owner of Top Dog Signs in Elliot Rd, South Lismore, says the company’s workshop was fully submerged by the floodwaters.
“After being heavily impacted by the recent floods in Lismore, we are slowly getting back up and running,” Jackson told customers in a 'flood update.'
“The water went 4.6mtrs high from the floor in the workshop and with the building only being 4.3mtrs high, it was completely submerged.
I recently had a mezzanine built which was ‘out of flood’ and like so many others had put my flood plan into action. But this was a catastrophic flood which no-one would’ve ever expected.
“There is grief, loss, tears and an uncertainty of what the future looks like. But there is also hope, love and support and the will to keep doing what I love to do.
"I love this town; I love this community and I love making signs.”
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| Pegasus Screenprints in South Lismore, before the flood |
Pegasus Screenprints, established 1993 and located in Kyogle Street, South Lismore, this week told customers that the rebuilding has begun.
“We're just letting you all know we are still operating to the best of our ability under these circumstances...... if possible please contact us via email (sales@pegasusprint.com.au) or phone (66 224 224) as our shop showroom is out of action for the foreseeable future. Please be patient until we can fully rebuild.”
Supplier association Visual Connections has compiled a list of organisations who are assisting with flood recovery.
“Your suppliers can work with you to assess any damage, check and verify whether your systems and equipment are safe to use, and provide information for insurance assessors,” said John Wall, MD of Roland DG and president of Visual Connections.
For more information on what support individual industry suppliers can offer, please go to the Register for Assistance reference on the Visual Connections website, which is being updated regularly with latest information.
