Drowned herds. Towns underwater. Farmers in NSW are facing ‘absolute devastation’

James McRae, a dairy farmer whose community of Barrington was nearly wiped out by floods caused by a perfect storm—a wet autumn followed by heavy rain—found himself losing everything, including pasture land, herding cattle, and even his boat. His friends are now left with whole herds destroyed, their homes gone, and the community's agricultural industry facing long-term damage. Meanwhile, in Taree, flood waters reached historic levels, overwhelming local streets and evicting residents who rely on local radio for survival. Young farmers, already stretched thin by past cyclone recoveries, face significant risks of going out of business due to these devastating floods.