Flooding rains update - Queensland, Aust.

Well, with incessant rain here for weeks it has now culminated in epic proportions of flooding. When you asked about me a week ago when the floods were affecting Rockhampton and places north. I said, no we're fine here, thats hundreds of kilometres away....but now.....the latest flooding yesterday is only an hour or so away by car. This latest town (rural city really of 20,000 people) Toowoomba, is on a high range and one would never have thought of an 'inland tsunami' type rage of water flowing through there. It is a continuing tragedy as I write, 8 dead and 70 or more missing. It is the type of thing that one hears of in Europe, water suddenly flowing through small valley towns, but this town is not in a valley. Brisbane is our large capital city, of 3 million +, downstream of Toowoomba, and it is looking like some serious flooding over the next few days. The dam that was built after the bad floods in '74, has certainly helped mitigating worse floods, however that dam is now 140% full if that can be possible, and controlled release of floodwaters is necessary for a safe dam. Our immediate area on the coast is 'relatively' safe. There might be low level localising flooding when high tides and rain are concurrent events. It has been raining for weeks. I am listening to a tv bulletin as I type, it is an ongoing crisis..... Will write again when things are quieter, I feel quite despondent at present. Hugs Bronnie

Reply to
Bronnie
Loading thread data ...

Keep safe. Even if you think it's not probable, move really important things to upper levels of the house if you can. Let us know how you're doing when you can.

Kim in NJ

Reply to
AuntK

Reply to
Taria

Prayers for those known lost, presumed lost and those who are battling the rising flood waters.

How tragic!

Reply to
Kate in MI

Thanks so much for 'reporting in' Bronnie. We have been hearing about the increasing area and depth of the flooding every day. I know you said you were 500km south of it, but now you say it is only an hour away

- it must be terrifying for the whole state, vast as it is. Stay safe and keep checking the flood progress so that you can escape if need be; but please God you won't need to. It is taking its toll now, I'm so sorry. Take care. . In message , Bronnie writes

Reply to
Pat S

Hi Bronnie,

Just been watching the floods on our TV news, how terrible. After so many years of drought restrictions and now this! Keep safe and our thoughts are with you.

Janner France

Reply to
Janner

i know Queensland is huge but i wasnt sure how huge so i googled. it is 2 and a half times the size of Texas.

3/4 of the state if now underwater/flooded. the rain is falling so heavy it must be like standing below water level in a swimming pool. at one point they had 6 or 7 inches fall in half an hour. there is nowhere for that much water to go after a few weeks of rain making the ground totally sodden. so it runs together into a 5 metre high inland tsunami, as its been called. this hit the town of Toowoomba with no warning at all. one second it was not there, then it was there in full force. it is still raining and flooding. current death toll is ten, 5 of those children. the toll will rise as the water eventually drains away and they can reach all the wrecked cars that probably some will have people in them and others will be found where the water took them. this is by far the worst flooding they've had in the area ever so the news tells us. sounds right to me. that is a lot of land underwater. tens of thousands have been evacutated. some spent the night on the roof of their home watching the water lapping at their feet hoping that help would arrive to rescue them soon. another family were spotted on the roof of their car unable to move the car or get away from the water waiting for rescue. it was a new helicopter that spotted them. they went back to help and when help returned in another helicopter the car was gone. washed away somewhere with no idea if the family was still alive or where they were now. the sadness is devastating. Bronnie, i hope you and the rest of my good buddys in Oz are all ok when this is all over and the clean up can start. so many homes destroyed, some washed right off their piles. it is all just unbelievable. the rain continues with the worse yet to come for some places. the biggest city in the area will get hit in the next couple of hours and could be underwater across much of the city before this is over. i wont sleep well tonight if at all. :( j.

"Bronnie" wrote ... Well, with incessant rain here for weeks it has now culminated in epic proportions of flooding. When you asked about me a week ago when the floods were affecting Rockhampton and places north. I said, no we're fine here, thats hundreds of kilometres away....but now.....the latest flooding yesterday is only an hour or so away by car. This latest town (rural city really of 20,000 people) Toowoomba, is on a high range and one would never have thought of an 'inland tsunami' type rage of water flowing through there. It is a continuing tragedy as I write, 8 dead and 70 or more missing. It is the type of thing that one hears of in Europe, water suddenly flowing through small valley towns, but this town is not in a valley. Brisbane is our large capital city, of 3 million +, downstream of Toowoomba, and it is looking like some serious flooding over the next few days. The dam that was built after the bad floods in '74, has certainly helped mitigating worse floods, however that dam is now 140% full if that can be possible, and controlled release of floodwaters is necessary for a safe dam. Our immediate area on the coast is 'relatively' safe. There might be low level localising flooding when high tides and rain are concurrent events. It has been raining for weeks. I am listening to a tv bulletin as I type, it is an ongoing crisis..... Will write again when things are quieter, I feel quite despondent at present. Hugs Bronnie

Reply to
J*

Reply to
Tia Mary

Watched the videos on the news this a.m. The amount of rain and water is just unbelievable! My prayers go out to all those who need them.

Reply to
Alice in PA

Praying the rain will stop. Barbara in FL

Reply to
Bobbie Sews More

Prayers for you and the entire country go up. It's been on our news but nothing can fully show the extent of the damage nor the cost to the people, both emotionally and physically. Donna

Reply to
dealer83

Thank you EVERYONE for your messages of support....it is really appreciated. First off, our coastal region where I live is 90km from Brisbane and we have not been directly affected. In 1974 when the last big flood inundated both regional areas and Brisbane (I wasn't living here at that time) it was very bad here. We are in a different river system catchment to Brisbane. Our hearts are with the Brisbane community, the statistics are just staggering - dam levels, houses going under, people being displaced. The CBD is not spared either. Another 24 hours are to pass before the major flood level expected. It could take longer than Hurricane Katrina to recover businesses and homes lost. Oh, I could go on, but I won't..... It actually stopped raining here for a few hours this morning and I got a couple of sets of tennis played outdoors which was good exercise. My twin sister, Pam, is coming up to stay for a week tomorrow from Melbourne so I am really looking forward to seeing her. Hugs to you all, Bronnie

Reply to
Bronnie

Such loss. I'm so sorry, Bronnie. Thank you for taking the time to keep us informed. You and your countrymen are in my thoughts.

Michelle

Reply to
Michelle

Sending positive thoughts and prayers for the rain to stop! Saw on TV news pics of cars being swept away - so scarey! Stay high and dry, Bronnie, and keep us posted!

Reply to
ME-Judy

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.