BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011

Subject: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 05:00 AM

Northeastern Australiahas been experiencing severe floods since October 2010. The floods have forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities. At least 22 towns and over 200,000 people have been affected, and it seems to be getting worse.

Vast areas of Southern and Central Queensland, an area the size of Germany and France combined, are affected by the floods. About 300 roads have been closed, including nine major highways.

There's been a bit of mention of these floods on the "what's the weather like where you are" thread. But the water keeps rising, and people are dying. The floods are much worse than those in previous years. In some places the floods have been compared to an inland tsunami.

Here's a link to a video of yesterday's flash flood in Toowoomba

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 05:45 AM

Fortunately, my daughter who did a camping trip in Queensland in roughly early December while visiting her brother in Sydney while travelling for several months' got out in time, although she was less than polite about local weather.

What we are not hearing is whether the flooding is due to innate geography or poor rainwater (or river flood) management, long term infrastrucuture neglect, or what.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 06:15 AM

Richard, I'm glad your daughter left the area in time. The floods have resulted from heavy rains caused by Tropical Cyclone Tasha that combined with a trough during the peak of a La Niña event. Brisbane experienced its wettest December since 1859.

The 2010 La Niña weather pattern is the strongest since 1973. Professor Roger Stone is a climatologist from the University of Southern Queensland and Australia's representative for the UN commission on climatology and agricultural meteorology. He says the La Nina weather pattern, which is currently pushing monsoonal conditions over parts of Australia, is the same as the one experienced in the lead-up to the 1974 floods.

The Wivenhoe Dam was built in the aftermath of 1974 as Brisbane's defence against another major flood. But the dam may not be enough.

Isolated flooding started across parts of the state in early December 09. On 24 December a monsoonal trough crossed the coast from the Coral Sea, bringing torrential rain that fell in a broad swath from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Gold Coast. The conditions also led to a large influx of snakes, as well as some crocodiles.

The heavy rains caused by the La Nina weather phenomenon may continue for months.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 07:23 AM

I've a brother and family living in Glen View, QLD. It seems they are OK but the floods sound awful.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 07:25 AM

More pictures of Brisbane on todays news-absolutely awful. Keep saafe everyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: GUEST,Ringer
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 07:28 AM

Memory Vault is cross about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Hrothgar
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 08:30 AM

Well, we're safe here because we live on the side of a hill (and the slope is not steep enough for landslides).

The trouble is that it has been raining on and off since October, and the grouns is saturated, so now everything that falls runs off instead of soaking in.

The Wivenhoe Dam holds an enormous volume of water (nearly twice its official capacity as a water supply), and this has a moderating effect on water levels in Brisbane, but it is so close to absolutely full the they are letting some of the water out, and this is combining with a high tide to inundate some low lying areas of Brisbane. The wort combnation of river flow and tide is expected on Thursday.

Levels then will be as high as or higher than in 1974, when we had serious flooding. A large number of people who have since bought flood-prone properties on the principle that it won't happen for another hundred years are now a bit nervous.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: quokka
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 10:22 AM

10 confirmed dead, 80 missing so far. Tomorrow and Thursday predicted to be worse in Brisbane, they have a king tide tomorrow on top of the floods. Just devastating. I'm on the other side of the country, and here we have a major bushfire that has destroyed homes, one of which is owned by someone trapped in the Queensland floods. Our hearts go out to all suffering these disasters.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 11:07 AM

The online photos are a nightmare. Stay safe folks.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: quokka
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 11:09 AM

3/4 of Queensland has been declared a disaster area...that's bigger than a lot of countries so probably hard to plan for something like this, Richard. Last time was in 1974, and looks like this is even worse than that one.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 12:17 PM

The 1953/4 floods on the Hoo peninsular and the Isle of Grain (my patch) resulted in major improvements to sea defences and there has been no repetition (so far) but neglect of inland ditches and moronic decisions about putting streams into pipes inhibit effective rainwater runoff into Yantlett creek resulting in flood risks in my village - solely the result of neglect and stupidity. Once upon a time rainwater runoff went harmlessly and effectively to the Yantlett.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 02:08 PM

From what I saw it makes Katrina look small. Brisbane take cover, is coming down.

20 ft walls of water in some places after more cloudbursts.

Streams in pipes is never a good idea.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 02:40 PM

I saw the news of the floods shortly after getting news from Cloudstreet that they've moved back to city living in Brisbane.... I hope John or Nicole will report on this thread some time...?

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Joybell
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 03:19 PM

New South Wales is affected too -- although so far not so badly. Now we have flood warnings in Victoria. Here in South-West Victoria it's been raining hard all night. We've had 15 years of severe drought but because there are no major river systems here, and it's a flat plane, the rain should soak in.
Take care everyone along the huge river systems of Eastern Aus.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 05:25 PM

Warwick (know people there) got new rains yesterday (and continuing) and some evacuations taking place today. (Queensland).

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 05:43 PM

I'm keeping track of the flood news. Such an uncontrolled force! I hope the flooding will subside and that sufficient help is available.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 06:29 PM

Here's articles and photos about what's happening inIpswich,Gympie, Grantham, and in Brisbane.

And as mentioned by Joybell, the floods are spreading to NSW.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 08:14 PM

"I saw the news of the floods shortly after getting news from Cloudstreet that they've moved back to city living in Brisbane.... I hope John or Nicole will report on this thread some time...?"

John and Nicole are at an event down in Victoria at present so they are safe. I haven't seen their new residence but it's in a higher area, not one of the suburbs expected to be flooded.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 08:26 PM

This morning is the first rain-free one for several days so shoppers are out in force at the local Woollies. The store has been unable to restock so there is no milk left, either fresh or long-life, and not much bread left. This is not an at risk area but many of the main access roads are closed.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 09:16 PM

Has anyone heard from Foolestroupe?

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 09:25 PM

Yes, Freda. He posted several times on the "Weather" thread, and said there he was ok. Here's a link: What's the Weather Like Where You Are?

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Jan 11 - 09:35 PM

Yesterday the New England Hwy was closed at Tenterfield, a couple or so hours north from here. So far, according to our local paper, it is affecting attendance at the country music festival here because many Queenslanders arrive with their caravan/motorhome but they are optimistic that many people who haven't yet arrived may still be able to make it. That includes performers as well as audiences. One couple here yesterday watched their home in Ipswich go under, on TV - they said their daughter was looking after things for them, but you could tell they were very worried just the same.

The effects of this flood will reach a long way.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Allen in Oz
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:55 AM

JR

There was a story on the news that one couple were at their home in the Queensland floods and at the same time lost their other home in the Western Australian fires !

..." Of drought and flooding rains" indeed

AD

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 05:56 AM

I'm ok - in Toowoomba - the Flash Flood went by the end of the street (one house away from corner) I'm at - we drove home 20 mins before thru the path of it.... missed it by THAT much! We didn't hear a thing - heavy rain on roof.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Traffic-cameras-by-location/Traffic-cameras.aspx?name=Toowoomba+Range+-+Saddle+%28East%29

Some traffic cameras around... road between here and Brissie tragic - police taking convoys to Gatton if they can prove they live there. Can't get to Brisbane - allegedly over 100 trucks marooned here. Over 1800 truck movements a day thru Toowoomba. Range road was closed due to landslides - north highway also closed due to landslides - other ways out of town crippled by bridge flooding, sun shining now... :-)

Thanks for thinking about me - home in Brissie is on a hilltop - probably won't get there atm.... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 06:23 AM

Richard - the SOI needs only to be + 7 for it to be a el nina situation - currently the SOI is + 27.... :-) No amount of planning can forestall anything when people live on flood plains - which is most of Australia. Especially when about twice the amount of rain that fell in the 1974 flood comes down - the Wivenhoe dam was designed to handle the 1974 flood volume...

The Darling downs flash flood - we had about 130mm in 30 mins in Toowoomba... that is not 'normal' ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Brian May
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 07:38 AM

Plague of frogs next.

Reliable sources state that President Sarkhozy is still in France currently . . . so relax.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 07:57 AM

:-D

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 09:58 AM

Last night I started a thread on the floods - it took sooooo long that freda had posted her thread by the time mine appeared

BS: Floods in Australia - 2011 - check out the video 'Amateur captures nature's fury'- Toowoomba resident captures the extraordinary moment when the Chalk Lane Creek overflowed, carrying away cars. (Toowoomba is apparently built on a marsh between hills, not a good place to put a city. The ground is so saturated from the recent heavy rain that it won't take any more rain.)

I've been listening to the special flood broadcast - Brisbane radio since I came home 3 & a half hours ago

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 10:51 AM

I watched the cars get swept away in disbelief, hope everyone stays safe.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Brian May
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 01:44 PM

Seriously, as the father of a daughter living on the Christchurch, NZ fault line . . .

Best of luck Oz, we can only wish you the best of luck, let's hope the floodwater recedes as soon as possible.

I suppose, in the longer term, it will restore an enormous amount of fertility to the farmland.

Good luck all.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 04:38 PM

We have a couple of frogs in our beer garden....does this mean the plague has started?

Cheers
JennieG (who doesn't 'do' reptiles/amphibians......)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 06:33 PM

The Brisbane River has peaked and was lower than expected - levels on the way down. Much flooding on some areas of Brisbane was due to storm water drains backup rather than river banks overflowing. Minimal rain for last 36 hours has helped.

Some places here in Twba had water sweeping down hills into houses (and an old folks home) and flooded carpets - these designs look nice, but a couple of inches to water flowing down a slope that prettily leads into your lounge room, in hindsight, but not clever...

Another big band approaching from the West - top may miss Qld, but will sweep across NSW.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 09:28 PM

I suppose, in the longer term, it will restore an enormous amount of fertility to the farmland.

Unfortunately much of that farmland will be in Moreton Bay.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 12:29 AM

think of the opals tha will get washed up.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Brian May
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 07:50 AM

Then it will re-fertilize all the Moreton Bay folk songs et al.

Best of luck though, it's an exquisite agony watching flood water encroaching and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 07:58 AM

A sad experience for all - time to move to the desert perhaps?

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Beer
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 08:07 AM

Yesterday while watching the devestation of the flood waters, News here in Canada showed a clip of a lady being interviewed. She said that the water was so bad that it was just like Niagara Falls. Not her exact words but she referred to N. Falls. Question, is there a Niagara Falls in Australia? Just wondering.
Ad.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 10:16 AM

I was in Brisbane in the early 70s. Weird to see it under water.
Today there is a heroic tale of a boy (young man, I think) of 13 who insisted rescuers take his 10 year old brother first from a car trapped in the floods. They were not able to get back in time for him or his mother.
RIP
M

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 12:19 PM

Beer, the last time I visited Oz I had the privilege of tracing the course of the mighty Amazon River through the Ural Mountains. I gazed in awe as its waters poured over Niagara Falls into the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and so, by way of the Thames Estuary and the Mississippi Delta, to the wine-dark Mediterranean Sea. Truly, Australia has it all.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 03:04 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12186935

Brazil also needs a mention here.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 09:04 PM

I'm glad Bob the Postman does not deliver my mail ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 04:25 AM

The flood waters are receding in Queensland, there are still many people missing, everything is covered in mud and many will be without electricity for weeks.

In the meantime, there has been flooding in Glenorchy, Victoria, and several towns across Victoria's western and central districts are preparing for floods. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after torrential rain swept through the state.

After years of drought, now floods, we'll all be ruined..

SAID HANRAHAN

"We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, In accents most forlorn, Outside the church, ere Mass began, One frosty Sunday morn.
The congregation stood about, Coat-collars to the ears, And talked of stock, and crops, and drought, As it had done for years.

"It's lookin' crook," said Daniel Croke; "Bedad, it's cruke, me lad, For never since the banks went broke Has seasons been so bad."
"It's dry, all right," said young O'Neil, With which astute remark He squatted down upon his heel And chewed a piece of bark.

And so around the chorus ran "It's keepin' dry, no doubt." "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out.
"The crops are done; ye'll have your work To save one bag of grain; From here way out to Back-o'-Bourke They're singin' out for rain.

"They're singin' out for rain," he said, "And all the tanks are dry." The congregation scratched its head, And gazed around the sky.
"There won't be grass, in any case, Enough to feed an ass; There's not a blade on Casey's place As I came down to Mass."

"If rain don't come this month," said Dan, And cleared his throat to speak-- "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "If rain don't come this week."
A heavy silence seemed to steal On all at this remark; And each man squatted on his heel, And chewed a piece of bark.

"We want a inch of rain, we do," O'Neil observed at last; But Croke "maintained" we wanted two To put the danger past.
"If we don't get three inches, man, Or four to break this drought, We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out."

In God's good time down came the rain; And all the afternoon On iron roof and window-pane It drummed a homely tune.
And through the night it pattered still, And lightsome, gladsome elves On dripping spout and window-sill Kept talking to themselves.

It pelted, pelted all day long, A-singing at its work, Till every heart took up the song Way out to Back-o'Bourke.
And every creek a banker ran, And dams filled overtop; "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "If this rain doesn't stop."

And stop it did, in God's good time; And spring came in to fold A mantle o'er the hills sublime Of green and pink and gold.
And days went by on dancing feet, With harvest-hopes immense, And laughing eyes beheld the wheat Nid-nodding o'er the fence.

And, oh, the smiles on every face, As happy lad and lass Through grass knee-deep on Casey's place Went riding down to Mass.
While round the church in clothes genteel Discoursed the men of mark, And each man squatted on his heel, And chewed his piece of bark.

"There'll be bush-fires for sure, me man, There will, without a doubt; We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out."

- John O'Brien (the pen name of Roman Catholic priest, Patrick Joseph Hartigan) first published in 1921 in the anthology Around the Boree Log and Other Verses.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:52 AM

Thanks for reminding me Freda - haven't heard Roger do it for quite a while... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Hrothgar
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 07:31 AM

The worst of the flooding seems to be over (but there are three months still to go before the end of the cyclone season). For a lot of people the harrowing part will be the cleaning up. Going over to help some people tomorrow.

I haven't been able to work for two days - the place where I work is perfectly safe, but it's just up the slope from a flooded area, and the electricity is turned off. Depending on who you are listening to at any time, there are up to 30,000 premises that have been flooded to some degree in Brisbane, and 100,000 where the power has been cut off.

There are quite a few people whose houses are safe, but they haven't been able to go anywhere from them because roads have been cut - that situation is also easing.

Next we are going to have a big brawl over why the local authorities gave planning permission for people to build in areas that were flooded in 1974 (nearly all the places in Brisbane that have been flooded were also flooded in 1974 or have been built in areas that were flooded in 1974). There will also be some discussion of the point that if you sell a car that has been immersed in floodwater, you are required to tell the buyer, but there is no similar provision in real estate contracts.

Try not to think about the people who were insured for everything but flood, and are now going to scream because the insurance companies won't pay their claims....

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Beer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 07:46 AM

Good one Bob the Postman. I also hope he doesn't deliver mail.
ad.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:45 PM

Hrothgar has some good points. For those affected things are tragic. For those not personally affected in their houses, some will be indirectly affected too.

In areas outside Brisbane, there has been inundation of whole towns. In Toowoomba, very few houses were touched, and in Brisbane only about 1% or so of the city is affected, if you look at the published flood maps. I know Bundaberg, I used to live there, I rang friends and they laughed - only a few long term well known low lying suburbs were affected, most of the city was fine. This is not the "End of The World".

But there are whingers who are complaining they they are annoyed by all the trucks parking and the noisy helicopters, and the shops have no food, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 07:06 PM

Here is a link to a good article and images of how it is for those dealing with the aftermath.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 05:32 PM

Brisbane is almost entirely clear of the water - the after effects are going to take a while to handle. Many thousands turned out on the Saturday (yesterday) and have already turned up today for voluntary clean up crews. It may only be a small relative area, but the amount of mess is expected to take some weeks to deal with.

The debris in the parks alongside the torrent in Toowoomba has mostly been cleaned up - things like 2 inch GI pipe handrails, etc are still mangled.

Some towns in Qld and NSW are still waiting for the water to reach them - it can take weeks for the water to travel the length of rivers. There is only about 600 metres fall from some areas to the sea along the whole length (over 1000 km) of some rivers that stretch along the country here.

The Qld food markets used to be in Central Brisbane, they were moved to Rocklea and have been wiped out - buildings still standing. They were flooded in 1974 as well - they are talking about moving them to the North Coast - I believe that much of the Southern areas used for food production have tapered off anyway, and most come now from the north side anyway. Of course that is now an hour away by road transport from the city, scratching my head how sensible the idea is anyway.... The markets were moved in the 1960s to allw freeways and office buildings ti be built. they were getting too small for the whole city too, sure it would have been more sensible to keep them (like the Victoria Markets in Melbourne) and make more smaller ones around the suburbs.

Temporary tips have been placed in parks as staging points so that big trucks can take the compacted stuff away after neighborhoods drop the stuff close to them.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 05:44 PM

NearMap
is progressively adding high definition photomaps to their site. These are from aerial photos of the greater Brisbane area taken on Thursday soon after the flood peak.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 02:23 AM

Amateurs capture Brisbane flood devastation

Audience submitted flood photos

Brisbane flood volunteers turned away - there were too many!

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 12:14 AM

Brisbane floods: before and after - run curser right to left over pics

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 10:30 PM

This journalist has actually studied the terrain and history - I agree with almost everything said.

Toowoomba was a disaster waiting to happen

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 10:33 PM

The stupid idea of moving Brisbane markets from Roma St to Rocklea (now destroyed by flood twice), and now suggested to the North Coast (a couple of hors north of Brisbane - depending on what part of the city you are driving to - where it will be cut off from Brisbane) is also being ignored.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 08:12 AM

Wheelie bin goes for a ride during floods user submitted photo - A wheelie bin hangs from powerlines at Goodna after ending up there during the floods that swept through Brisbane and Ipswich, January 14, 2011.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 09:06 PM

G'day all,

I'm not sure were I saw someone remark that the Aboriginal word 'Toowoomba" means "Swamp". It would certainly be in line with the scant regard we have shown for some 40,000 years of accumulated wisdom held by those who have (still) survived everything that the country (and its invaders) have thrown at them!

I was reminded of John Warner's song Big Water Come Down from the song cycle Yarri of the Widadjuri - about the 1852 floods that devastated Gundagai, in NSW -(last verse):

And the floods they come and the floods they go,
Wiradjuri people warn and plead,
But what's two inches of mud in the shop
To the hopes of profit, the drive of need?
Build an attic up in the rafters,
Done in a day or so,
We'll be safe upstairs when the river rises,
What do the primitive natives know?
    White man fool to camp on the low ground, big water come down.
    White fulla* learn the ways of the land or drown.

* Indigenous pronunciation of "fellow"

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 01:48 AM

It is alleged that Toowoomba means Two Woombas - or swamps - but you really have just one big one where the town CBD was built, drained by East Creek and West Creek.

The historical reference comes from the diary of a guy who made no such mention on his trip out of town, but wrote than when he returned a while later.

Good Song Bob, can you do a thread on it?

Btw, Brisbane 1974 was about 5.5 metres (this was lower, but interesting it is alleged that some places were affected this time that were - so their owners say - not affected in 1974) - anecdotal indigenous references mention between 10-12 metres.... gurgle, gurgle ... :-)

The King tides of the last few days have caused reflooding of some areas.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 10:39 PM

Aussie Weather!

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 07:58 AM

Brisbane floods: before and after
Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:00am AEDT

High-resolution aerial photos taken over Brisbane last week have revealed the scale of devastation across dozens of suburbs and tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

The aerial photos of the Brisbane floods were taken in flyovers on January 13 and January 14.

Hover over each photo to view the devastation caused by flooding.

This is part one of an ABC News special presentation showing before and after photos of the floods

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: goatfell
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 09:09 AM

aye and what about the flooding in Brazil

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 09:03 PM

The total area affected in Queensland alone is much larger, and thgen there;s the rest of Eastern Australia.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 09:27 PM

BS: Don't forget floods in Brazil as well

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 04:16 PM

OK - now the figures are coming out.

Just in Queensland, over 90,000 km of roads need to be rebuilt. That's about twice around the planet, to put it into perspective.

And then there's rest of the Eastern States ...

And a cyclone rumbling up in the Coral Sea off Queensland...

Rain that fell some weeks ago, is about to hit Swan Hill where three major rivers become the Murray. And that is still a long way and time from the sea.

Now I'm not belittling disasters in other countries, especially since those other countries have had a higher human loss than here, but many non-Aussies often have difficulties comprehending just how big this country is...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 06:34 PM

Community spirit of a civilian army
Jade. Glen. Hannah. On paper they're just names; names you might have considered calling your child or the name of your daughter's best friend.

This month, they became so much more. Each of them told a story, one it's difficult to describe without feeling the torment behind the water torrent that swept across the state, without discrimination.

Jade is just eight, but she made her parents drive 100km to give her new pink bike to someone she didn't know, because they'd lost their toys in the water that engulfed the Brisbane suburb of Oxley.

Glen lives downstream from Oxley. He got out early. He couldn't afford not to; not with three young children and the youngest with a serious medical condition.

But it was the image of him the next day that I won't forget. He struggled through water, that climbed up to his chin, to find his home and his future destroyed. You read it on his face, and just wanted to hug him.

Hannah lives a couple of hours up the road in Toowoomba, not that address matters much when a torrent of waters surges indiscriminately on a reckless path levelling millionaires' homes and rural sheds, destroying the dreams of the young and the old, and leaving behind orphans, widows and widowers.

Hannah was anonymous for a couple of hours. Police released an image of her, a dot in a muddy angry river of water that turned Toowoomba on its head, with a plea to find her.

It didn't take long. The same community spirit that flooded donation lines led police to the young woman who will live with her harrowing fears long after most have forgotten them.

Her rescuers were a couple of blokes you might not look twice at in your local pub. Today they're holding their heads high as heroes. Larry and his men should too.

Night and day, as waters climbed buildings and snaked into homes, they took to helicopters and boats and trees and roofs and pulled those they could from the angry waters that threatened to swallow them too.

Some of them had big wins, saving entire families. Others today are still wondering if they could have done more, if they could have saved just one more child.

That's what happens when whole families disappear in a couple of seconds. Some grabbed for a phone, to warn loved ones what was happening. It was better to know, than to wonder.

That selflessness is a bit hard to fathom for the rest of us. But it showed itself over and over again, not least in the case of Jordan Tyson, a 13-year-old who, despite a fear of water, told rescuers to save his little brother first.

At his funeral, his big brother Chris told how he used to tease Jordan, or Weedsy.

"You were so shy, always hanging off mum. You were petrified of water, heights and even the dark. How wrong was I?

"Here you go losing your life from one of your biggest fears to save your little brother. You made me so proud. What you did took heart, courage and love.''

Stories like Jordan's have turned suburban streets into civilian army camps. A call to arms one weekend saw thousands and thousands of mums and dads march down streets, carrying mops and buckets, and wearing big smiles.

They walked into homes they'd never noticed before and started scrubbing. They shovelled silt 10 centimetres deep from stairs and removed dead fish from pantries, helped take lounge chairs from backyard swimming pools and left at the end of the day, wanting to know when they could come back.

You don't mess with a school fete convener, and mums like Karen Simons, along with local parents and citizens' groups, ran suburb-wide operations from her kitchen.

She didn't have power and she didn't even know most of the people calling her house their temporary home. But as news spread of her generosity, everyone from soldiers to the homeless dropped in for a cold water, a home-made sandwich, and even an ear.

Karen will have her own demons to confront. Knowing waters were engulfing her friend's home, she grabbed a kayak and took to the streets, guiding it around corners, past parks, and through the front door of Anne's home.

Anne, like so many others, lost nearly everything, but that doesn't really matter. It's just her daughter's room. Her little one didn't know when I spoke to her but the pink bedroom wall was lying out on the sidewalk. All four walls.

Heartache followed heartache for so many families, and after cleaning their home, even using toothbrushes to get the sludge from every nook and cranny, Anne and her husband were told the walls had to be demolished. In many cases, that unleashed another beast.

Along sidewalks, asbestos sheeting lay discarded. In the urgency of the moment, long-term worries were laid aside. That's a problem for another day.

Down the track, people will think of what comes next: whether we want the same relationship with our river, whether a home on the riverbank is a sign of success or a shadow over your shoulder; whether we need to re-look at how our communities grow and how our land is zoned.

The cost of those few Christmas holiday weeks is hard to fathom. That's a debate for another time too.

But it's the community spirit that's floated to the surface in the end; an indomitable spirit that has carried the army of volunteers to their next job, that has local communities of company directors and concreters and accountants working to the local fete convener, and of young people like Jade, an eight-year-old whose heart is so big she gave away her shiny pink bike to another little girl she's never met,but whose smile will not be drowned by the torrent of tears that has flooded Queensland.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 07:47 PM

The guy who ran the inquiry into the 1974 Brisbane flood said that most of his recommendations including that houses in certain areas should be resumed were ignored.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 10:28 PM

G'day Foolesh one,

Re your request, back on:
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 01:48 AM
~
~
Good Song Bob, can you do a thread on it?

------------------------------------------

The song is another composition of the wonderfully gifted songwriter (and formidable singer ...) John Warner.

I'm not sure if John still gets a chance to look in on Mudcat ... but it would be most appropriate for John (or, perhaps, his singing partner (at various times) Margaret Walters - another occasional 'Catter - to initiate a posting.

That said, I did lift the text I posted from a major review I did of the full Yarri of the Wiradjuri song cycle back in Mulga Wire #178, December 2006. My writings, in Mulga Wire, the Bush Music Club magazine don't seem to get linked on the Club's web site (www.bushmusic.org.au) so I don't have a link. I really need to nag our webmeister a bit more often ... if only to get much that I have written (... and illustrated ... and photographed ... and been involved in ...) up in a more public view.

... I just don't know if we have that much memory available on our web site!

Regard(les)s,

Bob
y

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 05:56 PM

G'day again,

It struck me that Foolestroupe's (20 jan 11 – 01:48 AM) report of an alleged "two – woombas" origin for the town name Toowoomba was the sort of cheap 'homophonic error' that permeates uninformed discussion of the origins of unfamiliar (particularly 'non-anglophone') names.

At some point, after staggering home from marshalling volunteer musicians to play out west of Sydney in a muggy 40º C, 10 AM to 2 PM gig, I decided to look up my venerable "Australasian Encyclopaedia" – from ~ 1965 … back when they dealt with that sort of historical question. These are the appropriate paragraphs:

The Australasian Encyclopaedia, Volume VIII, page 522, column 2, paragraphs 4 & 5
"Toowoomba

Originally called "The Swamp", Toowoomba developed in a marshy area in the. 1850s as a suburb of the neighbouring township of Drayton, which was founded in the 1840s. The site of the city was on the route of teamsters and travellers moving between 'the northern and central parts of the Darling Downs and Brisbane. In 1852 Thomas Alford settled in the vicinity and named his house "Toowoomba". As The Swamp outgrew Drayton, the name Toowoomba was gradually adopted. Toowoomba was incorporated as a town in 1860 and proclaimed a city in 1904.

Various explanations have been offered of the origin of the name "Toowoomba". One theory is that the aborigines' pronunciation of The Swamp was "Tchwampa", which became modified to the present name; another is that the "toowoom" or "choowoom" (native melon) grew at The Swamp, and that the aborigines' name for the locality was "Toowoom-ba"- place of the native melon; a third is that the native name was "Toowoomba" ("water sit down" -or underground water)."

On the basis of local Aboriginal language words quoted here, the best meaning for the Gubba corruption would be "two native melons" ... not quite the crop we are dealing with here!
Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 07:50 PM

""two native melons""...
hmm... sounds like the natural home of the Temple of the Golden Globes ....

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 07:04 PM

Well, Perth has been tickled by a cyclone - they never normally get that far south! - and North Qld has been hit by a low level cyclone - not too much damage. But just behind it is a possible level 4 or 5 that will hit in a few days time.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 09:10 PM

Yasu - 400km wide - cat 5 - may even get to a 'supercell' is headed now right towards where Anthony hit last night in Northern Queensland ... this one could make Katrina look small.. and more floods are possible 0 north of where Rockhampton took a big hit.

Some areas of Australia are still flooded and some will remain flooded for approx another 2 weeks ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 09:16 PM

Oops, thats Yasi ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 12:35 AM

'Ugly sister' cyclone menaces Queensland People in north Queensland have been warned to expect wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour when a "big, ugly sister" cyclone makes landfall later this week.

Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ), police and weather officials are meeting across the state's far north today to discuss the possible threat of Tropical Cyclone Yasi.

The category one system is north-west of Vanuatu, but is expected to intensify before crossing the Queensland coast on Wednesday or Thursday.

Authorities fear the massive cyclone could be as intense as Cyclone Larry, which devastated parts of far north Queensland in 2006.

more ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 01:31 AM

Current SW Pacific Tropical Cyclones

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 05:57 AM

Another view

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 06:45 AM

Sorry, nothing shows up in Australia ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 04:37 PM

OK Tanglewood, I an see it on the FF Win 7 box, but not the FF Ubuntu box.

They are now claiming that the eye of Yasi is 1,000 kn wide - that's about the full length of the Qld east coast. That's about 50% of the East Aussie Coast. Since Aust is about the same distance N-S as the continental USA, you can gauge the size...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 05:01 PM

That would be the entire system 1000km across, not the eye. Whatever, it's a big system alright!

It shows up in Australia OK - I'm on the north side of Brizzy, not so far from you I believe Foolestroupe?

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 05:29 PM

Don't you just hate it when TV 'newstainment' hosts give out nonsense? The 'front' - they said 'eye' was '1,000 km'. The official pronouncement from the mouth of the State Premier was 'front of 500Km', eye of 40 km ... sigh... all this hysteria is of little help ...

The 'MTSAT IR Colorized Loop' does not show in my FF on Ubuntu, it does on the Win 7 box.

Anthony has petered out inland, but dumped a lot of rain. Yasi is expected to dump about 1 metre of rainfall over most of the area affected. It is expected that rain will fall as far south as over the catchment of Wivenhoe (the alleged flood preventer for the Brisbane River), so now there is talk of releasing below the max storage water level (less than the max flood prevention level) in anticipation ... also some of the northern areas flooded recently may experience a resurge of flooding.

Storm surges of some metres are expected in the target area - low coastal floodplains there mean that considerable flooding is expected. The nasty bit will last for about 24 hours, including 12 hours ahead of the eye. People are already leaving the area - warnings are out that it will be too dangerous to try evacuating in the high winds 12-24 hours or so preceding the actual time of 'hit'.

It's far too north to affect us much down here.

Perth took quite a hit from the other one over west.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 01:53 AM

Yes, my regard for "the national broadcaster's" news coverage went down quite a bit during the events of the last few weeks.

Even if Yasi does stay well north I imagine the beaches right along the coast will take a hammering from the cyclone-generated swell.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 01:03 PM

ye gawds. If the media are right this is one deadly storm. Do we have any Mudcatters in its path? Keep us posted.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 04:44 PM

Now cat 5 http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/mosaic/images/xxmosaicir-s.GIF

I got friends in the middle - ok so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 06:27 PM

Floods and fires are nature's nightmares. Here in the US we are facing a huge snow/ice/thunder storm involving about 3/4 of the country.
Stay safe all. Once again I am grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my table and the abundance to share.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 06:33 PM

... and the recent ability to chat in real time all over the world - till the lines break...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 07:20 PM

Local reports will likely be more accurate, but the "international news" paints a threatening picture:

Australia coast expects 'most severe' cyclone on record. (MSNBC)

One of the "pointers to" the article suggests the possibility of 3 feet of rain from the storm, although the article itself doesn't include that estimate.

Here, we're about 20F (11C) below seasonal normal. -14F = -25C with "wind chill" another 20 or 30F down. Can't tell how much snow we've had due to winds gusting at 40 - 45 mph while it was coming down so most of the snow is plastered onto the sides of stuff; but we're on the trailing edge of what's moving into the eastern half of the US.

Does mother nature have PMS? She's welcome to all my chocolate if that might help.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 08:50 PM

JiK

there's some relevant comments also in the "What's the weather like where you are?" thread. 3 feet of rain - yep, about a meter ... within 24 hours over much of the area affected by the rain clouds you can see.... if you saw the Toowoomba flash flood footage - that was from rain over only a small percentage of that area and about 6 inches in 30 minutes...

It's just starting to bite - the eye is nowhere near land yet ....

see http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR241.loop.shtml#skip

we are informed it's not as big as Katrina, but it's the biggest we have recorded in modern times out here...

I'm well clear ... we do have Catters up that way, I think...

There is a song Hey Rain by Bill Scott which illuminates Aussie attitudes to the weather .... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 08:57 PM

OK - looking at JiK's link to MSNBC - if the Yanks say it's bigger than Katrina ... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Janie
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 11:01 PM

Haven't been posting here to speak of, but have been following. Really appreciate what several have done, especially Robin, in keeping us up to date and providing links.

Continued care and concern.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 11:38 PM

It Broke ....
http://www.weatherchannel.com.au/main-menu/News/Breaking-News/Yasi-knocks-out-weather-radar.aspx

Willis Island Monitoring station now trashed ....

QUOTE
Category five Cyclone Yasi has knocked out the weather bureau's radar system on Willis Island, about 450 kilometres east of Cairns in far north Queensland.

The weather bureau's radar and wind speed measurements on the island failed just before 9am (AEST).

The bureau says the maximum wind speed recorded before the equipment went down was 185 kilometres an hour.

Three weather observers and a technician left the island yesterday.
UNQUOTE

They were expecting up to 300 kph ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 01 Feb 11 - 11:40 PM

Sorry, meant to post this too

http://www.weatherchannel.com.au/more-weather/cyclone-watch.aspx

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 02:07 AM

How Cyclone Yasi compares around the world


Aussie Yassi Humour

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 02:30 AM

Cyclone Yasi live


Australia's worst cyclonesHere is a list of some of the worst cyclones to lash the Australian coast since 1970 ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 05:49 AM

Yasi is expected to still be a Cat 3 24 hours after crossing the coast when 450 kms inland .... !!! Top that! When we Aussies DO something, we don't do it by halves! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 06:19 AM

Yasi is expected to be still a cat 1 when it reaches Mt Isa on Friday (look at the map!) - it will still be near a cat 1 when it reaches the NT border! - this sort of power has not been seen in living memory here. Over 6 metre waves - highest since recording started in 1975. Only problem where I am is the heat ...

And that's another thing - the high over NZ is supposedly steering Yasi in a straight line (thanks mates!), instead of the normal curve it would have. I'm interested to see what happens to the 'tail' bit - the sea surface temps of The Coral Sea are the highest they have ever been recorded. Wonder if the tail might split and build up by itself ....

Some guy on tv just said he just had one lot of the shutter hoarding he put up over the windows bolts ripped right out of the brick - on Magnetic Island.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 08:15 AM

latest on the northern Australian cyclone Landfall expected near Innisfail close to midnight; Residents told to stay put and hunker down; Wind gusts up to 290kph expected between Cairns and Ingham

time in Queensland is 11.10pm - about 1 hour to landfall

forecaster talking on radio now says about 45 minutes, eye is about 17km wide & folks need to remember not to go outside in the calm period.

On air now - Listen Live - for next 6 hours

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 03:03 PM

Yasi fell from a cat 5 at Mission Beach when the eye hit Tully, to a 4 and now a 3 as it charges inland.

About 130,000 are now without power. Power poles knocked over near GZ.

The last FB contact I had with locals was at 11pm their time, as power was flickering.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 04:47 PM

It's now a cat 2. Hit later than expected, after high tide, so storm surge less than predicted. 175,000 without power. About 20 mobile phone bases brought down, more without power, many on generator, but only 6-8 hours fuel. 2 babies born last night. Surprisingly not many reports of injuries as yet - all the refuge centres ok.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 12:34 AM

Now a cat 1. Degraded faster than expected, wonder if the bigger the size, the more 'friction' when passing over land, ie more energy lost quicker.

No news yet of any fatalities, or serious injuries, but 2 births. :-)

Much serious property damage, including power, water, roads and comms infrastructure. Friends I know all ok.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 01:50 AM

What will be the babies's names? Yasi and Windy?

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 02:45 AM

Despair and relief in cyclone's wake


new mother doesn't like the name Yasi! A baby was born at a Cairns evacuation centre and two more in Innisfail Hospital amid the chaos and devastation as Cyclone Yasi hammered north Queensland overnight.

Cairns councillor Linda Cooper says Akiko Pruss went into labour at the evacuation centre at Redlynch State College at 2:45am (AEST).

Ms Pruss and husband Christian live in Cairns and the baby girl is their second child.

An English midwife called Carol, who is celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary on holidays in Cairns, delivered the baby, Ms Cooper said.

Ms Pruss went into labour in the first aid room of the college and was supported by her mother, who has travelled from Japan to be with her.

Mr Pruss says he is very excited, but very busy.

The baby will not be called Yasi, Ms Cooper said.

"Akiko doesn't like that name at all," she said.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says two babies were also born at Innisfail Hospital overnight - one at 10.43pm and another at 10.44pm (AEST) - right in the middle of the storm.

"Innisfail, right in the line of fire, so it would have been an anxious time for all of those staff as well," she told channel Seven.

"I understand the mum in the evacuation centre has ruled out calling her baby Yasi, and I suspect the other two mums will do the same.

"I think these will be some of the most sought-after baby photos globally."

Cyclone Yasi: Your Stories
What were your experiences of Cyclone Yasi? Have you heard from affected friends and family?
Leave your comments here.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Hrothgar
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 06:37 AM

The Poms From Oz, who live in Townsville, have come through unharmed.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 06:04 PM

100

The sugar cane and banana industries are trashed- even one of the sugar mills is damaged.

Massive rain causing flooding riverine flooding now isolating areas that dodged serious tidal storm surge.

Still no reports of deaths or serious injury (one man is missing after trying to move a yacht to avoid a storm surge) - and it was more massive than Katrina. But it did sidestep the biggest settled areas like Townsville. The newer building codes seemed to help - most building 10-15 years old held up very well, unless trees fell on them.

Now just a massive tropical rain depressive heading for Alice Springs. Flooding in some of the areas previously affected is expected.

Over another billion dollars loss to agricultural industry alone ... over 3,000 farmers, maybe no bananas from North Qld for a year...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 07:18 PM

Ok - there's a couple missing - amazing really so few.

One confirmed dead - he tried to shelter inside a brick room with a running generator - suffocated.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 07:36 PM

The ABC news site has a Yasi update currently at the top

http://www.abc.net.au/news/

Toowoomba Floods - personal local journalist viewpoint
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/12/3110950.htm?site=thedrum

Our Climate guy in charge of certain reviews spoke yesterday - speech and report update had been planned for some time.
Also the local politics is changing on climate change - the recent months have cost several billions - a couple of percent of out GDP now.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/03/3129111.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 02:16 AM

thanks, Roger, I didn't think I knew anyone in the area, I forgot about the Poms

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 05:30 AM

Bloody Yanks! - Fail!


Sigh ... well at least Tasmania is ON the map, even if they don't know what it is ....

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 07:43 AM

The remains of Yasi is headed to Alice Springs now!

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 09:20 AM

I knew it was not Queensland, Fool. Not all Yanks are stupid and/or geographically challenged.
That aside, how the people of Tully doing?

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 12:36 PM

Here's some news from Tully, SINS, and thanks for asking.

And speaking of geographically challenged, where the hell is Maine anyway? :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 01:20 PM

LOL Downeast.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 02:02 PM

Well Yasi is dumping rain on Alice Springs - talks about sandbags there. The Todd River is a big channel with another massive flood plain heading up to Darwin - even though the traditional 'yacht races' there are conducted in the dry river bed on foot, the contestants carrying their 'constructions' by hand ... the races have been known to be canceled on account of rain ...

The 'outflung arms' of what was Yasi are now dumping rain on Adelaide and Melbourne, and talks about flooding there now ... Sydney cooking along nicely at expected temps of 36 deg C ... oh and very recent bushfires in NSW and Vic. There was a comment that this year there has been an almost unbroken line of natural disaster along the Great Dividing Range from North to South of the Eastern Side, mostly flood.

The remnant of the Eastern Tail of Yasi is now approaching the East Coast of Qld, looks like a fair bit of rain in it too.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: gnu
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 02:14 PM

Battered indeed. Sad.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 04:23 PM

I take it that the flooding has been restricted to Queensland.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 06:26 PM

Nope - serious flooding in Vic - over 3,000 & nursing home residents also as in N Qld evacuated - 150 mm in 12 hours rain - HEAVY ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 06:40 PM

Of course I can't now find the reference, but I heard that Yasi will drop rain on 2/3 of the whole continent (up until the rain depression it has now degenerated into) - it's that big ... and the amount of rain it is carrying is that much ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 06:54 PM

Victoria wakes to storm devastation

Related Story: Flash flooding, storms lash Victoria
Related Story: Super-cell thunderstorm pounds Victoria
Related Story: Thousands call for help as storms lash Victoria

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: GUEST,999
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 11:45 AM

Thank you, Foolestroupe.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 04:09 PM

Yet more in Victoria, heavy rain still trashing the place, more expected till it leaves. You can follow the news at the previous links.

What I thought might spin up and did not - the eastern 'tail' has reached Qld and has a fair amount of rain in it, but is scattered. Too turbulent to spin up, I suppose, lucky us.

Yasi was the 3rd Qld cyclone this season, which we are still in - on average, there would still be a further 3 expected this season. Only on reported dead so far, but a few are still missing. Some of the suspected missing have been found safe. Not luck really, but preparation. But still a few 'overconfident' have to be rescued from going into flood waters where they should not - if the SES had not been so active and prepared, we probably would have had another 30 or so deaths this year in total.

One incident occurred where the prepared shelter was totally destroyed, but a local woman had insisted the the senior citizens gathered there move to a stronger shelter a few hours before the worst hit, saved many lived. She's a bit of a local hero now.

The areas where Yasi came ashore have been almost wiped off the map.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Feb 11 - 09:45 PM

Thanks to Yasi ... Outback storms leave an inland sea

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 10:00 PM

Emotions are running a bit high in Toowoomba ...

Flash flood fears wash away

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 03:21 AM

This is the current effect of floods in the Condamine you have heard of in the Aussie Folk Songs.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 07:30 AM

An interesting Musical sidenote - but this is a music site .. ;-)

BUMS Flood Relief Concert 30 Jan 2010

Yep, dems is ukes guys... follow the link ... :-)

Ukes are getting degree of Australian interest again ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: maeve
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 07:37 AM

Thank you for your reports, Foolestroupe.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 09:17 AM

I can't post much from work, FT, but I am following this thread. The fires in western Australia are pretty scary as well. We have blizzards shattering the mid west. A rough winter for all. Stay safe.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 05:31 PM

They are still sandbagging towns in Voctoria, as the water from rain in Queensland earlier in the year runs down the Murray to the sea... Big Country, slow rivers...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 11:46 PM

The cat was down the other day for a while..

Devastated Victorians beg for rain to stop

Still problems in parts of the East Coast of Australia...

And now the Greedy Selfish Capitalist Arsehole Bastards never miss a trick!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/14/3138305.htm

We just had almost a revolution with old ladies taking off their clothes in public a year or so ago to demand a pension increase. Cost of living has not fallen since then! It's no cheaper to live on a disability pension than an old age pension or unemployment either, for that matter! and they pay the unemployed less anyway... Just coming out of a muscular back spasm which has its roots in things that put me on the disability pension anyway...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 05:03 AM

your second link doesn't work - so here it is again -
Pension cuts to pay for floods 'not an option'

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 07:10 AM

Sorry, reversed the damn link - was a bit off - a very well loved chook managed to pull a heavy garden shredder down on top of herself. She will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 07:00 PM

Man set alight clearing up cyclone debris

"Tablelands Mayor Tom Gilmore says he agrees more help is needed to clean inland properties damaged by Cyclone Yasi.

Mr Gilmore says he understands why help has been focused on areas closer to the coast, but it is needed in inland as well.

He says thousands of kilometres of fencing is down across the region.

"It was still a category three cyclone when it was 100 kilometres inland, so there was enormous damage to cattle yards, to fences, that sort of stuff," he said. "

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Andrez
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 07:03 PM

Wow Queensland chooks must be huge! Can you make a "flood damage" claim?

:-)

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 07:23 PM

Just curious - how big a cut in pay and benefits has the business council suggested for themselves? Or is it like here in the states? Not in my backyard.
M

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 12:07 AM

silvertails cutting THEIR pay??????

Wash you mouth out for daring to suggest it!

sandra

(silvertail = a rich person, an old term still in use. Bronzewing was the matching term for the lower classes & the poor - bronzewing pigeons were everywhere once, just like those people! Bronzewing is no longer in use.)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 12:19 AM

It was only a bantam but a big bantam - the shredder is top heavy, and easily tipped on its wheels.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 02:45 AM

OK - not Queensland, but NT (Northern Territory) our western neighbor has been getting hit by a cyclone and rainfall of several hundred mms in the last couple of days - most of the year rainfall ... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 02:53 AM

Found a relevant link now ...

Authorities decide not to open cyclone shelters

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: freda underhill
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 03:02 AM

now Darwin, hopefully not a heavy one.

+ yes Sins, I look forward to when the Business Council recommends cuts to their own funding to assist.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 02:51 PM

Health risks remain after floodwater subsides

Our ex-PM Kevin Rudd was affected by a serious Bacterial infection after walking around in flood waters helping his local constituents.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 01:00 AM

Still it goes on - outside Qld too...

Carnarvon locals weather flood peak

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 09:39 AM

Somebody is going to find record breaking opals that were washed up by the floods.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Feb 11 - 02:04 AM

Cyclone Carlos to reform over flooded WA

It's a big country, but I can't remember too many previous cyclones making it all the way across and recharging...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:32 AM

The town of Condamine, flooded twice, had to abandon their New Year Celebration. It has now been held, 2 months late. Never tell Aussies they can't have a party....

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 09:08 PM

Not all over yet - still happening in smaller areas

Garden hose snorkel saves man in flooded creek

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 01:44 AM

lucky bloke

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 05:34 AM

The folks in OZ and NZ have both had such a battering I hope that things get better for all and get some peace very soon. Take care.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 04:14 PM

"Garden hose snorkel saves man in flooded creek "

Very lucky man, and lucky to have quick thinking friends nearby. Lucky too that the situation didn't last too long. It's not possible to exhale the contents of a hose of any length so there is a quick build up of CO2.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 05:03 PM

The length was about 2 metres, looked like a fuel siphon hose ... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: Tangledwood
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 02:23 AM

That's what I thought. I guess he wasn't too concerned about the flavour at that moment. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Mar 11 - 04:29 AM

Following the floods in rural Victoria many farmers are struggling Video - Transcript also available

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Mar 11 - 07:14 AM

And now the North of Qld is flooded again with torrential rains - up to half a meter of rainfall in parts ...


http://www.facebook.com/weatherchannel


Rainfall will reach Lake Eyre this week as tropical moisture spreads south. Most tributaries in the Lake Eyre catchment are already full or holding some water after the nations 2nd wettest summer, so flows should reach the lake quickly.
http://www.weatherchannel.com.au/main-menu/News/Breaking-News/Rainfall-fills-Lake-Eyre.aspx

Ken Heatley shows us the rain spreading through SA, Vic and NSW on The Weather Channel's new website http://www.weatherchannel.com.au/ . Flood watches have been issued for river systems in these states as a result of this rain band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfNnYaRyIe8

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 02:35 AM

Well, there's still been sporadic flooding around the place, but Roma got hit the 3rd time in about 12 months, each tiem supposedly '1 in 100 year event'.

Roma mops up after another flood

Yes, Banana is a real place. I went thru it whole dad was taking me around on holidays when he was working back in the 60s.

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Apr 11 - 06:25 PM

A Flood Inquiry has been set up.

Google Flood Inquiry - add Queensland or Australia if you are overseas and do not get a result "News for flood inquiry"

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 08:29 AM

Lots of panic, but no one harmed apparently.

Flash flooding hits Easterfest in Toowoomba

One giant tent collapsed under weight of rain, ripped ... see pics.

Well, some had questioned whether the site of the Jan flash flood still was an appropriate site...

Yes this is the Site of The Teeter Totter Wall of Noise! ...

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Apr 11 - 10:02 PM

Oh and if you put any event on in the flood plain of a creek that has traditionally (for over 100 years - as long as the settlement has been there) been called 'Frog's Hollow', you might expect the water to get 'knee-deep'....

Subject: RE: BS: Floods in Queensland, Australia, 2011
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Apr 11 - 03:07 AM

Chopper pilot breaks down at flood inquiry

Also a bunch of links

Photos

    * Brisbane floods gallery
    * SE Queensland flash floods gallery
    * Queensland floods gallery
    * Before and after: NASA satellite images