THE resilience of the Yenda community continues to shine through, three years after the town was inundated by floodwaters.
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With trade again picking up, business owners are able to look to the future.
A home to small community enterprises like the Yenda Diggers Club, as well as internationally renowned beverage producer Casella Family Brands and agricultural enterprises, Yenda was devastated by flooding in early 2012.
Despite forecasts, there was little indication of what was about to happen on March 3, 2012.
On that Saturday, over 133mm fell on the MIA and water levels in the upper catchment of Mirrool Creek and the Leeton catchment reached tipping point.
On Sunday, an emergency breach of the main canal near Leeton prevented excess water flowing into the Murrumbidgee River.
Similar action near Yenda was rejected because of concerns it would impact Yoogali, Griffith and Hanwood.
However, the bank of the northern branch canal collapsed on the Monday night and Yenda felt the brunt of the escaping water.
The scope of the flooding is clear when assistant manager Laurie Testoni says Yenda Fruit & Case Supply had water through its store.
The building is in the centre of town, facing Yenda Memorial Park, showing location made little difference to who was affected by the flood waters – although some were worse hit than others.
“We were okay, it was right at the end of the season,” Laurie said.
Others were not so lucky and it only now the town is getting back on its feet.
Laurie said being a close-knit community meant recovering from the flooding had been a slow process.
“It took so long for people to get back on their feet and the confidence to come back into town,” he said.
“From the business side, a lot of people left the area.”
With a new pharmacy and a doctor to soon start practising, there is normality returning. Some of those who left are also now starting to be replaced.
“There is a confidence out here again,” Laurie said.
“You look out into the centre square and see people in the park.
“The first six to 12 months there was no life, but people are back in here shopping.
“You can judge it by the health of the park.”