I don’t know how to even describe it in words; I have been sitting and watching the flood crisis in Queensland Australia the past few days. My home is on the Gold Coast and there we have missed the worst of the flooding but further north and north west have not been so lucky.
I will not post any links as if you search, Queensland flood pictures and videos there will be many to see.
Places where I have been are now lakes, some small places have been virtually wiped out, house floating down what were creeks but now raging torrents.
I had tears in my eyes watching a father talk about how his wife and two sons were caught in what is being described as an inland tsunami; they scrambled on top of the car and were helpless. A person nearby risked his own life by wrapping a rope around himself and wading out into the torrent.
Once at the car the older brother insisted that his younger brother be saved first, and as the man saved the younger brother, the mother and son were swept off the roof of the car. They were again sighted clinging to a tree before again being swept away to their death.
Another heartbreaking story is of a brother rescuing his sister and younger brother and then virtually turns around and his parents are gone, swept away to their deaths.
A tragic accident of a 4 year old boy falling out of a rescue boat and drowning and it goes on and on.
Then footage of a family, a dad, mum and son trapped in their car floating down the raging torrent. They clamber on top of their car as it starts to sink. The news crew left them to get help and when return cannot find them, amazingly the found the mother and son clinging to a tree but the father is missing.
As always Australians have dug deep and $35 million dollars has been pledged so far and hopefully a lot more on the way. About a dozen big organisations have pledged $1 million dollars or more and hope more do the same.
If you want you can go to this site, The Queensland Government website and there are a number of ways of donating.
My heart goes out to the people who have lost loved ones and also to all the people affected by this flood. I hope it is a once in a lifetime flood.
Brunty
3 comments:
Brunty it's taking all my might to hold back the tears as I watch it all unfold on TV. Stray flew into the Gold Coast yesterday and was able to make it to where most of our family is living, just south of Brisbane. Thankfully this morning's news said the levels in Brisbane did not reach those of 1974...when was horrific! It's all a bit surreal. Queensland has some very testing times ahead.
Snap, it is just so hard to believe it all, if it wasn't for the videos and pictures you would think your friends were joking.
I hope Stray and all her family are okay and it was very good news to hear the floods were not going to peak at 5.5mtrs or what they had predicted.
Queenslanders are strong, I have lived in Queensland since 1989, so 20 odd years and most of us interstate dwellers joke about banana benders it is true they fight and they will beat this.
Again today I tried not to cry listening to a lady talk about how her sister rang her asking for help as they were waist deep in water in their house.
She had to say her goodbyes to her on the phone, the house collapsed and three drowned, her sister, paartner and a son.
Brunty it's miraculous that the death toll isn't higher, although I realise it's not over yet!
Stray and his/our families are high and dry.
I spoke to my parents this afternoon and they're doing well. Power was restored to their home this afternoon, but their area is surrounded by water and cabin fever is setting in. Dad assures me he has enough beer and Shiraz to ride it out.
I have to turn off the Australian channel from time to time...it just gets too overwhelming.
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