Deb Ray recently reopened her Magellan Street shop Music Bizarre just in time for the Lismore Lantern Parade.

With just a small collection of new music stock for sale and some flood salvaged stock, Deb is keen to get her business back on track - after losing much of her precious collection of music in the biggest flood in living memory.

Ironically, it was just a week after Deb had finally put her massive collection of valuable vinyl records into alphabetical and genre order, that the February flood arrived to destroy it all.

Deb had stored all her vinyl (and other stock) in the upstairs area upstairs of the Magellan Street shop.

She thought it was all safely stored above any flood waters – much higher than the 2017 flood water height level.

The flood

But this year’s February mega-flood defied all evasion and the water came in, up to chest height in the second-floor area.

Deb said it was a sad baptism for thousands of expensive and rare collections of vinyl records - including a complete Joy Division collection and rare Bob Marley albums.

“A few things above this flood level survived,” Deb said “Some little miracles like books and incense.”

Flood fairies

Deb said some of the unique clothing she had been selling had been changed by the flood fairies.

“Some of the t-shirts look immaculate, but flood fairies have been playing with some and changed them to look like tie-dyed,” she said.

“Touched by the flood – it’s a bit special.

Flood zone

“I’m starting to think maybe I shouldn’t have collectable and rare things in the middle of a flood zone.

“I didn’t realise upstairs wasn’t safe and that floods could go that high but I know how high they can go.

“It’s not ever been like this before and I’ve been here for 30 years.

"But I think this will be a regular occurrence and sustaining a business here is not possible, it’s not safe in the flood zone.

Storage needed - can you help?

“Right now, I have nowhere safe to put things and I am desperately trying to get more storage – like a large shed or lockable storage out of flood.”

If you can help Deb with a place for her to store her shop stock, contact her at Music Bizarre

Homes lost

As well as losing her music business in the flood, Deb also lost her home.

She had also recently built two apartments above the shop – which also had flood water enter them in February. Read more: Deb's vision creates shop top housing in Lismore CBD

“I was thinking they would be reliable rental income even if I lost my stock again,” Deb said.

“But after the biggest floods in recorded history, I am now ripping out the kitchen and walls.

“It’s heartbreaking and financially quite devastating."

Help arrives

The amount of help Deb had received in salvaging her flood-ravaged stock has been one of the things that has kept Deb going.

Norco employees Mal, Edward and Bob helping out.

Washing vinyl

As well as drying out the cardboard album covers, people arrive daily to wash the vinyl records that have been through the flood waters.

One group of Norco employees visit her regularly to help wash hundreds of albums. Read more: What is music's bizarre connection to Norco?

“It is people in the community that holds us up in these challenging time and I’m grateful for the love and support I’ve received,” Deb said.

“I love Lismore and its diversity - it keeps me stimulated and inspired and excited about getting up every morning and coming to work.”