Night of heroism: Survivors reunite with community hero

In a night that forever changed lives, a community hero emerged from the chaos, displaying unparalleled resilience and heroism.

This is the remarkable story of survivors who reunite with the man who went above and beyond to save countless lives when all seemed lost.

As emergency services struggled to reach those stranded on rooftops, one man, Cameron Taylor, took it upon himself to become a beacon of hope.

Taylor, clad only in his underwear, orchestrated daring rescues that would save hundreds across the region.

The night showcased the true spirit of community in times of crisis, with many stepping up to demonstrate selflessness and courage.

Survivors, including Cynthea Green, Raymond Green, and Stacey Simmers, expressed their gratitude this week as they reunited with Taylor, the hero who saved them.

"Without people like him and his pilot there would've been at least another 150, apparently he rescued 150 odd and we would've been in that casualty list, just so grateful to him,” Green said. "They were our saviours."

Simmers recalls the emotional turmoil of being stranded on the roof, fearing for the lives of her family, and the overwhelming relief when Taylor arrived to rescue them.

“I was on he phone to 111 but they said, 'sorry choppers are grounded, we can't get a boat to you, think you're on your own...' and we already knew people had died and your biggest fear is your going to end up in the water and one of the kids will die,” Simmers said.

Taylor, the modest hero, remembers his experiences of rescuing people from rooftops. Loading them into a helicopter. He then provided comfort with bear hugs and ensured their safety.

“I can always remember when I finally get an axe and put a hole in the roof and jumping in and just turning around and there's two older people. how they survived that is pretty amazing — the will to live."

Witnesses, like Mike Smith, describe Taylor as a superhero deserving of a cape for his incredible efforts.

Even as hope dwindled for another family down the road, Taylor's keen eye spotted them hanging onto a makeshift flag.

Raymond Green was making desperate attempts to signal for help, using a tent pole with a plastic bag.

Taylor's determination and resourcefulness saved their lives, again illustrating the will to survive in the face of adversity.

Their property frozen was in time with homes filled with silt. The Greens lost everything that day.

Miraculously however, their pig survived… now aptly named Lucky.

Despite the loss, the survivors find solace in the enduring bond forged during that fateful night. Stacey Simmers reflects on the relief of seeing Taylor fly past, knowing that, while their possessions were gone, the family was safe.