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--- Drying off - but Brisbane is a Disaster Area! (http://www.gatchamania.net/threadid.php?threadid=2223)
Posted by Madilayn on 20-11-2008 at 01:44:
Drying off - but Brisbane is a Disaster Area!
Brissie has been through the wars since Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon, what has been described as a mini Tornado ripped through the North Western suburbs of Brisbane and resulted in 6000 homes damaged, with 80 being condemned and needing to be demolished.
It's been raining ever since then - and another storm hit at about 11pm last night. It was incredibly slow moving - to go about 200klm it took over 4 hours. Fortunately, it went a sightly different direction, and the wind included wasn't as damaging, but still another 100 or so houses damaged, and most of Brisbane's major roads have been damaged - with a number of them closed due to flooding.
Since Sunday, it's estimated that the Brisbane region (South East Qld) has had over 300mm of rain (our monthlyl November average is 190).
On one hand - it's great to break the drought! Our Dams are filling! On the other hand - our wonderful SES volunteers are stretched to the limit. I was called into work to answer emergency calls at 11pm last night - got home at 8am this morning!
I'm OK - it's a sunny day today (which may be good - is the first day of Aus vs NZ cricket at the Gabba) but there are storms forecast for tonight, tomorrow and Saturday evenings, so more damage is likely.
The Premier and Prime Minister declared The Gap (worst hit suburb on Sunday) a disaster area on Tuesday - and are likely to declare the whole of Brisbane that today.
The Emergency Services response has been outstanding (even if I do work there...). The "Orange Angels" (SES = State Emergency SErvice) have, like normal, put aside their own concerns (including damage to their own properties) to help others, Fireies have volunteered to work extra shifts so that the response for any fires won't be affected, we have had Rural Fire Volunteers and SES descend from elsewhere in the state - and even from northern New South Wales.
Add to this the army barracks at Enoggera sending out the soldiers and the low security prisoners also volunteering to help (you know - the ones doing time for unpaid fines!) and there is a small army of people helping to clean up, and another small army of volutneers offering counselling.
Our complex down the road from me (being the Emergency Services HQ) has the canteen running 24 hours, as the complex is being used a s a shift changeover point for SES and Fire volunteers, and the canteen operators (Spotless Services - they deserve some kudos!) and staff have volunteered to work to provide the volunteers coming off a shift with a hot meal - not to mention the stream of coffee going to the people manning Disaster Command (the call centre, and logistics area). The head of Emergency Management Qld looks like a zombie (and, unfotunately, his house was destroyed - yet he has put the well being of others first) and all regular DES work has been suspended until all is fixed.
Reason for this: you never really appreciate the people who volunteer until you need them.
Going to get some sleep now.....
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
Posted by SJ_SwanJun on 20-11-2008 at 02:06:
Oh wow ... I haven't hear anythign about that over here. That's awful!
Kudos to the emergency teams - of course kudos are always ... should always be afforded to them.
Sleep well, kitten.
I hope everything settles fast and everyone can get back to rebuilding!
Keep us posted
SJ
__________________
Sighhh
Why do men snore when lying on their backs?
Because their balls fall over their butt holes and they vapour lock.
Posted by lborgia88 on 20-11-2008 at 02:33:
I'd seen a few news items on the internet, but I had no idea the storms and damage were this severe! At least it sounds like an efficient operation is underway to deal with the aftermath, and everyone is doing their bit to help!
I wish you well, Madilayn!
Posted by Transmute Jun on 20-11-2008 at 02:48:
I'm glad you're safe and well, Maddy. 
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Posted by clouddancer on 20-11-2008 at 03:49:
I am glad you are well Maddy.
i had not heard anything about the storms, now I am wondering where in Brisbane my cousin lives and if she is okay.
I may have to do some contacting through my Grandmother, aunts and uncles.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by gogirl212 on 20-11-2008 at 05:09:
There has been very little on the news here about it, but oh my! I'm glad to hear you are ok and it sounds like you are also one of the community heroes helping to get everyone through the tough times. Hang in there!
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There are few problems that a swift kick to the head by a highly trained ninja can't solve.
Posted by Madilayn on 20-11-2008 at 07:01:
: sigh: just woken up by another storm coming through - and the news that I'm not on call again until Sunday! Yay.
That is, pending major disasters.
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
Posted by veritas on 20-11-2008 at 09:18:
Sounds like you are really getting hammered, fingers X'd for every one.
Again, no mention on the news, but I suppose they are too busy reporting about I'm a celebrity dancing on ice get me out of here.... or some such thing.
Posted by Springie on 20-11-2008 at 10:23:
Maddy! Stay safe!
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Posted by Condorfan on 20-11-2008 at 10:42:
I can sympathize with you Maddy. Here in California over the weekend we went through the other element--fire. Several places in Southern California had huge wildfires burning all over. One point of the fire was in the city right near to where I live but fortunately the wind didn't shift direction and blow it towards here. I am afraid of a fire coming due to the large amount of dry brush we have and little to no rain this season.
I'm glad you're OK and hope you stay safe and well.
__________________
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity.
Posted by Hinotori on 20-11-2008 at 11:24:
I too hadn't heard anything about this. It's amazing to see how the human spirit rides above things like this and how people come together to help others out.
Stay safe, Maddy!
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Hinotori
Eagle in Charge
Posted by Transmute Jun on 20-11-2008 at 14:25:
I'm glad to hear that yo uare safe too, Condorfan!
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Posted by Madilayn on 20-11-2008 at 17:14:
Condorfan, I did see those. Amongst the fireies tht work on my project, it was their major topic of conversation since they started.
Until the disaster here, Qld Fire & Rescue had a Bushfire squad ready to head to California if needed - it's happened a few times when you guys have had these huge fires and need extra assistance.
I am glad that things are getting under control in California.
We had another 3 storms tonight - but nothing like as bad as the two earlier this week - these ones came down the right direction and were typical electrical storms (yes. SE Qld has a "right" path for storms - we call it Storm Alley).
Things hopefully have a chance now of drying out and damage starting to be mitigated.
Wish I could have sent some water over to you, Condorfan, for your fires!!
__________________
"When I'm old, I don't want them to say of me, "She's so charming." I want them to say, "Be careful, I think she's armed." -G. Stoddart
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 20-11-2008 at 21:54:
Maddy I thought of you when I saw the storm damage in Brisbane, and the it came back again and did more. I have a sister in law that lives an hour out of Brisbane. I don't know if it affected her yet...
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by Springie on 20-11-2008 at 22:01:
Hope you are ok, Condorfan...and Maddy, too! 
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Posted by Condorfan on 21-11-2008 at 00:34:
Thanks to all for your well wishes!
I wish we had some of the water you've been getting Maddy! At one point during the one of the fires they actually ran out of water!
__________________
Old age is a high price to pay for maturity.
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