Floods in the state of Queensland in Australia have claimed the lives of ten people and have inundated an area stretching from the east coast of central Queensland to the New South Wales border.
Twenty-two towns are either under water or isolated. Thousands of homes have have been abandoned, tens of thousands of people evacuated and 200,000 people have been deemed flood-affected.
Yesterday, military personnel rushed emergency supplies to the city of Rockhampton's 75,000 people as the last road into the city went under water at 7pm last night. All air, train and road connections to the city are now cut. The river, currently 30ft above river level, is still rising.
Across the border, in drenched northern New South Wales, the conditions have eased. Only a few days ago, major flooding forced evacuations in a number of towns but the worst is now over.
Just days before Christmas, floods also hit the mid-west of New South Wales. Most of the grain crops in the region were destroyed and there was much devastation to homes.
But in the face of it all, the true-blue Aussie spirit shines. Three Aussie farmers from the small town of Armatree knew they couldn't fight nature but they could join her - and put a smile on the face of those who needed it!
See for yourself!
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Comments
(i'm quite sure some ladies wouldn't mind being saved, no, not at all)
It's amazing that in this day of a supposedly 24 hour news cycle, I know everything that every Kardashian did for New Year's Eve, but when it comes to "floods of Biblical proportion" in Queensland, there is a relatively total paucity of readily available news in our media.
Aussies farmers are excellent!!
Sorry about the floods tho' Kate.
I have been reading and think of you each time.
So where were the "Sheilas" during all this?
The casualty rate has risen, and evacuees are now in the the tens of thousands - Rockhampton ( p0p. 75000 ) completely isolated and the water is still rising - 9 metres ( 30 ft ) above river height, no road rail or air access, Hercules landing on a hill on the outskirts with scant supplies ; Rocky is just one example of what's happening to an area the size of NSW - we've seen floods before, but not like this.
This is Gaia putting her foot down, I reckon.
Fred: Thank you, Fred. The plight of those affected is growing daily at the moment and rain continues.
Mission: Ah, you are quite taken with our Aussie farmers, aren't you Mission! I think we've had this chat before!!! Smiling here!
sophieh: I can opnly imagine how scary indeed it must be for those caught up in it. I remember being cut off by floodwaters when I lived on my parent's farm many years ago and that was a little frightening but for those whose houses, livestock and livelihoods are lost ... well, it must be horrific.
♥
Rita: You're a kind heart ... thank you. Luckily, I am not affected at all -- except for getting a right drenching of late! Between winter storms in the US and Europe and flooding rains in Australia, Mother Nature sure is cranky about something, eh?
Kim: Thank you. I realised on hearing the news this morning I needed to update this. Honestly, I hadn't started out to write too serious a post but things are indeed getting very, very serious, aren't they?
Alysa: My family is fine ... I have two children living in Queensland but apart from the torrential rain they've experienced, they are fine.
so funny!
Rated
Rated.
I shipped a sold CD to Queensland last week and all I could think of was I hoped they would be okay.
Thanks for this kate..
rated with hugs
Al: A very interesting viewpoint my friend! And one I think I can understand. May I offer you a Bundy while we chat?
Linda: Here's hoping your buyer is one of the lucky ones. Thanks for coming by Linda.
This video is so damn funny! Handsome boys.
Janice: A mess it absolutely is. It's heartbreaking to look at the evening news ... pictures of houses filled with mud .. everything ruined ... crops destroyed ... animals stranded ... Devastating.
It really is a terrible and dangerous mess, nature doesn't much care about our homes and families. Hope no more lives are lost and that the United States is on the ball with assistance in every way for Australia, a country that has always stood behind us.
dave: Awesome?!!! THANK YOU!
Algis: The loss of wildlife and livestock always so very sad too.