The rain not only raineth, it *oops*ing poureth and floodeth! As of when I am typing this (having just come from a Flood Distaster Recovery ICT meeting), and with another major rain event happing in south east Queensland - Rockhampton (Central Queensland) is still under water - with at least 10 days before the water receeds. - Bundaberg - (Central Queensland) - water receeding - Maryborough & Gympie - disappearing under the Mary River! - Dalby - is next! - Emerald - under 13m of water - Brisbane - soggy and starting to flood in low lieing areas To put it in perspective - if you look at a map of Queensland and find Rockhampton - from there, out to the state border with the Northern Territory and then down to the NSW border has flooding. That is roughly half the state - and an area larger than Texas. From Brisbane, travelling north, you cannot get further than the outskirts of Gympie. The main highway travells through Gympie (which is flooded). If you want to look at the extent of it all, have a look at the Qld Floods website Perhaps International Rescue is an option.......

Or maybe we should send up the team to hunt for the storm mecha that is hidden in the rain clouds.

Wow, babe .... That's just incredible -- but not in a good way of course. My Mum, as you know, lives about 40km out of Rockhampton in Yeppoon. She's giving me daily reports of things around that area, but she seems to be doing okay. My sis lives down at Emu-something (she and I aren't exactly tight) ... and they seem to be holding on okay. They're struggling for fresh fruit and veggies up there, but they're getting supplies ... She said they had Julia-someone up there a couple of days ago (Premier, maybe?), but she could offer no more help than what they're already doing. People are stressed, but fortunately with Yeppoon moving into a holiday area, there are homes available to help some of those who are stranded... Apparently the ferry-guy is making a killing out of things by transporting the tourists to an area where they can catch a plane back home ... $125 a head, apparently ... Mum's certainly not impressed by that, but at least he's there to help out... and it's better than the $600 a week the homeowners are charging the stranded to stay in their homes. Mum said that multiple families were bunking in a single home, so financially the burdon is eased somewhat But that said, she's of the opinion that people are making money off this disaster and she's not real happy about it. She's donated alot of clothing and blankets to try to do her bit... She says it's a good thing she had so many visitors over the Christmas break, so she has plenty to pass along. The whole world is watching this unfold, babe. Over here in Toronto, it's on the news daily ... Shame there is little that can be done right now to help out. Hold firm, babe. I know you're as busy as all heck right now ... Best wishes and much lighting of incense for those in the middle of this mess! Has there been a donation line set up? Please share if there are any links for us...

I'm starting to think that's the cause, Cloud! This La Nina and El Nino - not really natural weather patterns but a pair of Galactor/Spectran Captains who take turns to harrass the southern hemisphere....

Fingers crossed for you. Been through a few floods. Only thing I can think of worse is fires (and I've been through earthquakes and tornadoes, too).

She said they had Julia-someone up there a couple of days ago

Julia Gilliard - current Prime Minister of Australia. Anna Bligh is the Qld Premier. As for donations - they desperately need money, not goods as they can't actually get the goods through. If you visit the floods website (link in the first post) you can make donations through there. It's shaming to think that there are people trying to profiteer out of this - I don't mind covering costs, but to blatantly profiteer is just plain wrong! (and really un-Australian - very anti our Mateship creed!) And it's not as if the money is any good to them at the moment! The problem is that for those tourists who are stranded, the motels are filling up with media and the evacuation centres are filling with locals. However - they are urged to go to the evac centres. To get out of Rocky- if you can get north to Mackay or south to Gladstone, you can get a flight out. Once again - our Emergency Services people are amazing. The Swiftwater Rescue guys have been on duty since just before Christmas (most of them have not been home since about 22 December when they started to be deployed). Firies (Urban, Rural and the Auxiliaries) are in a similar situation, as are the Ambos and the incredible SES volunteers. When you think that in those regional areas, a lot of the SES people are ALSO Rural or Auxiliary Fire volunteers, you see just how much they care for their communities. Yeah - I love these guys and its times like this when I am incredibly proud to work for Emergency Services.

Oh, wow, Maddy! That's just amazing ... and heartbreaking ... and more than a little scary about how, even with all of our technology, we are all still very much at the mercy of the weather and natural disasters ... Much appreciation to the emergency rescue workers -- it takes truly special people to do those jobs! Hang in there! Though it sounds like you guys might want to start thinking about building an ark mecha ...

The weather just keeps getting screwier and screwier. The images I've seen certainly are amazing. It's sad to think that so many people have been forced from their homes and livelihoods over this. And the thought of people using this as a means to make money for themselves is abhorant. This is a time for lending a helping hand taking advantage of the displaced. I have to agree that the Emergency Services people are wonderful. They are the ones who go above and beyond all expectation for their communitees, and they never get the honor the deserv. I'm with Lee. An Ark Mecha is sounding pretty good about now..

SJ- Julia Gillard the Prime minister has been up in those areas recently assessing the damage etc.... Looks like its not getting any better for you Maddy, my SIL is over the raining and flooding too, she lives in QLD. I missed a few posts, its a disgrace that people are doing that to those stranded by floods to ask so much money per week just for a room to sleep in. (Nothing wrong with asking they contribute when it comes to the grocery bill, after all food is expensive, and charity can only go so far.) Honestly, I'd buy a tent and live in a caravan park until I could go home if someone asked $600 a week rent when you're stranded like that.

Maddy - El Nino and La Nina aren't very nice systems. I knew they liked messing up the northern hemisphere I'd never heard that they affected the southern hemisphere as well. I hate to hear that people are exploiting the stranded but very happy to hear of all the services people helping those still stranded. Praying hard that the rain slacks off and things can recover as quick as possible. to you on your own Emergency Services contributions.

Toowoomba (a city on a mountain range!) is copping it now. I'm stunned, that's not something I thought I'd ever see. There are already a few people missing, and looking at the amount and force of the water that's likely to increase. Video of Toowoomba flood and state flood map (on the right)

Yes- that happened today and late this afternoon. This just seems to be getting worse and worse - any prayers would be much appreciated.

My heart always breaks when I hear such news! I just can't help always reminding myself how me and my loved ones are lucky not to be likely hit by similar, large scale disasters! It's already hard to hear, and see, anything related to what's going on ... I can only just think how all the people, who are directly concerned might feel! I'm so with all those people who are suffering with my prayers! As I'm with those who give their everything to help, when I'm not capable to do so, together with my full admiration! At least, their hard work, and dedication, aid in overshadowing my thoughts, full of disgust, towards those who play unfair, and take advantage of those in need!

Hugs Maddy- watch out for that wall of water headed towards Brisbane. Toowoomba looks shocking from the news reports after that inland sunami hit it. One of close friends sister lives in Toowoomba and her brother hasn't been able to get in touch with her, I just hope its in all the confusion and she's turned up by now or he's been able to get in touch with someone who knows were she is. I felt my heart reach out to the poor people caught in the white car floating down river on the news, how terrifying for them, seconds count in that situation. It just hit so suddenly within seconds the town was under water.

Lets take out this mecha, turn it into sand bags , add the captains to the levee and try and re-direct the water to WA - who, apparently are having bush fires (this weather is nuts) Rumor has it we will still be raining till march, Northern NSW is again braceing for the floodwater from QLD to come down - again That Ark is looking good, do you do small ones? have a few family members to pick up before we head to Ayers Rock Big thanks to our local volunteer as for the looters and profiteerers , lets go biblical on them- bit of smitting may make peoplewho are stranded feel a little better (I am not encouraging mob mentality, we will use nuff balls and foam and they float)

Typical Australian summer....floods at one end of the country, bushfires else on the other. My friends sister is okay, a little wet but okay...

My heart goes out to everyone affected. Nature is a random and mindless beast. I hope the situation improves soon so people can go home and begin to recover.

Been internetless for the past week, so I'm catching up. Sounds horrible. The midwest gets some flooding like that every few years. My thoughts are with everyone affected.

...... Brisbane going under. Please send Ark!! Yes - our major dam, Wivenhoe, is now well over 100% full - and the "backup" storage (built for flood mitigation) is full so the dam is about to start trickling over the top of its walls. This is a major event - not since 1974 has South East Queensland (Brisbane, Ipswich, Redcliffe, Gold Coast) had such a massive chance of flooding. And yet..... Much of the mitigation work done after 1974 has done its work and it is really only very low lying areas that are affected. (those that flood if somebody spits in the wrong direction, and those that are always at risk). Belive me - if it wasn't for Wivenhoe, then the entire city of Brisbane would be well and truly flooded out by now. Unfortunately, the people of Toowoomba, Withcott and Grantham have it worse than us. Death toll from the tragedy there yesterday stands at 8 with 75 missing. The worst thing about it all is that there were cars washed away - and nobody knows if there were people in those cars. If you see any video, you may have seen a car with a family in it - well, the chopper grabbed a rescuer to try to find them, but by the time they got back, they couldnt find the car. Nobody knows if that family made it out. However- Queenslanders are a tough lot. We may be soggy, but we're not out yet. As long as the XXXX (Fourex) brewery is pumping out the amber liquid, we'll be fine. And whilst we loved the rain (after 10 years of drought) - it would be nice if it would just stop. Now. Funnily enough - when we were in drought, there was a website called "Water Forever" - well, we're getting the water forever. Just all at once, it would seem. From my desk, I can hear the torrential rain on the roof of the building I work in - fair enough. I work on the top floor. Please send gumboots and somebody capable of building an Ark. I believe there is some bloke called Noah who knows what he's doing....... (and on another aside - Brisbane has had 40 days and 40 nights of rain)

IB the flood waters are just reaching QLD's capital city Brisbane now, it won't be over for a while it yet it appears. At least they have some notice to get out. The people in Toowoomba didn't have any so they had to scramble to rooftops as an 8mtr wall of water came at them. A situation I'd to have been in thats for sure.

Maddy, I would say I hope things get better - but with it still raining it sounds like that is not likely to happen. So I guess you can only do the best you can and know people are here to offer the support we can. I will say a prayer for you, and everyone in Queensland, this evening as I head to bed.

I know our boys and girls of the SES and CFS are on their way, Maddy, the first lot apparently took off about an hour ago. Fingers crossed they reach Brisbane before the river breaks its banks!

Originally posted by Madilayn ...... Brisbane going under. Please send Ark!!

Ah, so you're in Brisbane too hey, stay safe.

Originally posted by MadilaynAnd yet..... Much of the mitigation work done after 1974 has done its work and it is really only very low lying areas that are affected. (those that flood if somebody spits in the wrong direction, and those that are always at risk).

I agree, going past the Logan area earlier, I was amazed that more of it wasn't underwater!

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne IB the flood waters are just reaching QLD's capital city Brisbane now, it won't be over for a while it yet it appears.

From what I gather we'll have to wait until Thursday to find out how bad it's going to get.

Squeeeee - Crescent Moon, Me and Littlewolf all in Brisbane area! I'm on the northside in Gordon Park (just off Lutwyche road). Ladies, we shall HAVE to get together (after the floodwaters go away) You're on the BotP list??? Where are you - and are you going to be safe?

I'm glad to hear you're not close to the flooding in Brisbane Maddy CM, and Littlewolf, stay dry!

Originally posted by Madilayn Squeeeee - Crescent Moon, Me and Littlewolf all in Brisbane area! I'm on the northside in Gordon Park (just off Lutwyche road). Ladies, we shall HAVE to get together (after the floodwaters go away) You're on the BotP list??? Where are you - and are you going to be safe?

I'm good, on the south-side around Garden city, not a lady though, lol : ) Not on the BotP list either.

Hi ....Crescent_Moon... Madilayn - did you get Evaced from the city today or are you camping out at the Emercency headquarters for the duration? I'm in the Beenleigh area, just soggy at the moment, but Coomera River is up and ready to burst, not including the water that will come down from the Brisbane River once it peaks on Thuresday, we are ready to huncher down, everyone I know has been informed to have their "kits' ready (batteries, tin food, water etc) Thou, I think I freaked a few people out at work going over the what I remember about Contingency plan and SMEAC ( amazing what I still remember, guess it was second nature for to long that everytime i hear or see an emergency situation I imediately go into planning mode,) I think I overwhelmed them with to much detail PS anyone out their seeing any Emergecny workers, give them words of encouragement, they are doing amazing work

PPS I'm in... love a good gathering ...once the water goes down!

I'm only at the Emergency Services complex at Kedron (Northside Brisbane) now. Been extremely busy there - and can't move for media and politicians! So many non-staff there, we have been instructed to wear our ID tags at all times. (usually, we only wear them if we need to access a lift or a door that is a "key" only handle)

I know I speak on behalf of all South Aussies watching the reports and hearing the news... Our thoughts, prayers and hope are with you all. Stay strong and, most importantly, safe!

You're still all in my prayers ... especially you Maddy, Littlewolf and Crescent Moon! I've heard about the situation at Brisbane on the news today, and my mind immediately turned to you! Sincere thoughts!

I'm keeping an eye on the news, I have relatives lin Brisbane thought I'm not sure what side they live on now, and an Aunty closer to the boarder on NSW side who is likely to be in flood danger if they get to much rain in her area. (Creek runs close to the house, with that much water coming down stream its likely to overflow.) One minute that state is in drought, a week later its flooded to the hills or on fire or just all at the same time! Gotta love our country and all its weather patterns.

Just letting you know - I'm not going to be flooded, and possibly won't loose power. I'm at work at the moment - and with everybody here running round like crazy (a boat is being dispatched to West End to collect some servers we need for vital work.....) Trains are sort of running - 1 per hour per line, but if the CBD is completely cut of power, that will stop. Council buses have ceased until further notice - but they are hoping that as soon as the water receeds they will get some services on the road again. It's stopped raining at least - which means one of the major problems has been solved.

Oh, that is wonderful news, Maddy!

Good to hear you missed the flood waters Maddy, its going to take a while for things to settle down though in your job. Fantastic job the SES are doing, I bet there are many of them at the moment running on a very little sleep, long hours, without their efforts the loss in life would be higher...

I saw the sun today it's the 4th time in 6 weeks that there was blue skies for more than a few hours. This situation is strange, I work in the oxenford area (bout 45 minutes from Brisbane) and life is going on like normal, except for people keeping us up to date and those missing from work or whose family are effected. People are aggitated and concerned but because it has not touch some people they are unsure what to do, so they go about their normal routine, what we see on TV and hear on the radio seems surreal to people who have no experience with natural disasters on any scale. We have organised fund raising, collecting cloths, blankets etc to donate, we have many people at work whose passion is animal welfare and they are ready to shelter animals if needed and we are trying to think of other ways to assist - but there is an air of helplessness surround many off us as we just waiting to see what will happen tomorrow. on a lighter note: a friend of a friend got trapped in the city and could not get out so he headed to a mates place with others and had a " flooded in refuge party" gotta love an aussie always finding a way to make the best of a situation and have a drink.....

I'm so happy to hear that things are getting a bit better! You're right, LW ... these things do seem surreal to people who haven't had such an experience, yet! It's such a strange, and helpless feeling that of watching everything that's going on on the telly, from far away, whilst leading a normal, and safe life! The only advantage I can think of taking from seeing these things is that of feeling ashamed of how so many insignificant, and tiny problems, as compared to these, could effect my life, when other people are constantly undergoing so much more!

gatchamarie.......don't ever feel ashamed for being human and having feelings ...what may be insignificant and a tiny problem to others, is important to you...all things we survive... large and small and that helps us grow and learn and better ourselves should never be discounted as insignificant.. my belief is that I came into this world to learn many things...my lesson and how I choose to learn them will always be different from others... I must remember to honor myself, others and my experences, even if they are small or large, life threatening or life uplifting...everything I touch, see and come in contact with has the potential to make me a better sentient being I chose to learn learn this lesson the hard way (some times I am a slow learner till it hits me in the forehead with the light bulb affect)..now that I got it... I'm embracing the healing love that surround it ps. I do not mean to come of like I'm lecturing you and I appologise if Ihave offended

Just got power back. No water here yet, but we'll see when 4am comes around (High tide). Cancelled work for the rest of the week and sent everyone home. No sense in people coming in when their safety may be at risk. It is weird, the sun's out, most of the areas I've traveled through have been completely dry, and yet, the water's rising. SES are wonderful, so are all the people helping out. I'm absolutely loving that, outside flooded regions, things are almost like normal, that's taken a hell of a lot of contingency planning! Glad to hear that you'll be okay Madilayn and LW, hope you stay safe! LW, the impromptu party seems to be a fairly common experience (at least for a lot of my friends, lol)

Glad to hear the three of you are all safe there in Brisbane. Hope things continue to go well with you while the waters keep rising - something that is bound to happen even if the rain has stopped, since all the rain that feel up stream of Brisbane has to go somewhere.

So glad to hear things are -- however slowly -- improving for you guys there! Stay dry, stay safe, and know you are thought of!

300m (1000 feet!) of this floating walkway just broke free and is floating down the river. Crazy.

That would be fun to see. Although a scary ride to be on. It is not surprising that is broke away considering the probable speed of the undertow and and the rising waters. Hang in there and stay dry.

Maddy, LW and CM... I'm glad to hear that none of the flooding has been to damaging to any of you. My prayers go out to those whose life it has damaged in any way. CM, thanks for posting the pic. it does look like an interesting site to see, and had it not broke free, maybe even a little curious to have walked on it. Ebony, have you heard from your family yet, in how all of this is effecting them???

The river peaked at 4.45meters - 1m lower than in 1974 and lower than was predicted. However - there is another high tide this afternoon and it could push the levels back up again. 12000 residential properties have had floodwaters on their block of land - about 4000 homes inunated. Water will receed over the next few days and the cleanup will commence. The much-maligned water grid that was set up in need for drought will now be used to ensure that Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley keep getting clean drinking water. People around Brisbane are now rallying for the cleanup - the Lord Mayor has asked for for anybody with a water tanker, bobcat, front end loader to contact his office to arrange for deployment for cleanup. (right - now I know I've worked for Emergency Services too long - talking about deploying things!)

Glad to hear that you and our other affected members are all right, Maddy! I'm glad your wibble levels are back to normal. I know how this has stressed you out.

The stories that are coming out of our north-eastern neighbour are just heartbreaking. All I can say is that it's times like these that I am truly proud of being Australian - the donations are just coming in left, right and centre and from people who can barely afford to live week to week (the socio-economic area in which I work is one of the poorest in Adelaide). They are giving what they can, and promising more when they have it - and you can see they mean every word. We are the lucky country - but not for our sweeping plains, endless beaches or our laid back lifestyle. It's the people.

In strange way, it's comforting to know that disasters can at least have the inspiring result of showing the very best in so many people, both in heroism and endurance and in compassion and generosity.

Originally posted by littlewolf ps. I do not mean to come of like I'm lecturing you and I appologise if Ihave offended

Not at all, LW! Your words are so true, and enlightening, and I thank you for putting me in a better perspective! You've just spoken out my mind, and the way that I feel towards life, but nevertheless, I still wish that, sometimes, I could be able to do more than just watching, or wasting time mulling over a lousy, normal day! It's true ... everyone's problems are hard to endure when endured alone, but such disasters, together with the consequent misery, remind us, the uneffected, how lucky we are and how small our own problems might be when compared to the ones of such a scale! P.S. LW ... never stop writing in the way you write ... I just sincerely adore reading your positive words!

Gatchamarie - hug the ones you love, the ones you care about, hug your animals, cuddle babies (human and 4 legged, ) jump in the big puddles and make big splashes, Sometimes the simple things make the biggest difference....

Originally posted by Crescent_Moon 300m (1000 feet!) of this floating walkway just broke free and is floating down the river. Crazy.

Shows how strong the current is... amazing isn't it. My cousin and his family narrowly missed having his house flooded in Brisbane. It was sandbaged and ready as much as they could be. Lucky for them the water came up to the door and stopped! (His wife and small children went to stay at a friends house.) Nothing lost thank god...

Originally posted by littlewolf hug the ones you love, the ones you care about, hug your animals, cuddle babies (human and 4 legged, ) jump in the big puddles and make big splashes, Sometimes the simple things make the biggest difference....

Hugging you!!

Some good news.. the company I work for, one of the largest supermarket brands, are taking donations through the registers. Earlier today, they announced they will be matching dollar for dollar all customer contributions. 1.5 million so far and the money just continues to roll in. It won't replace loved ones, but it will help rebuild homes and lives.

That's great news Green!

CM, you have no idea how proud I am of my company... They've also sat down with our major competitor and worked out the twenty most needed items - then arranged to have the airforce help them get a shipment through. But... in saying that - I'm not really surprised. Our own people have been hit by this - from local stores to our National Payroll office. Hell, my own area manager is a banana bender with friends and relatives severely affected.

'banana bender'?

Banana Bender is a slang term for a Queenslander. Comes from the fact that we have a major banana growing industry up here, and that Queenslanders must all have jobs putting the bends in bananas (banana benders). This weekend, volunteers are mobilising to cleanup suburbs - they basically start at the first house in the street and then work their way down. The army is out there as well. I am so proud to be a Queenslander right now. 75% of the state is disaster declared, outback towns like Dirrinbandi will be isolated until March (helicopter drops of supplies) and even in Brisbane, you can't get from Brisbane to Ipswich because the major roadway has been cut. Some Brisbane suburbs are still completely isolated (Moggil, 10K from the center of town is completely isolated). And yet, when a call was put out for volunteers to turn up and register to go help (we have 5 marshalling points here), there are too many! Charities have asked people to stop making goods donations. Queenslanders are still making donations of money - even those affected are donating. Our Premier (who has just been an amazing, incredible superwoman of a leader through all this) has it right when she says we breed them tough here. Tough, and compassionate it would seem. And with a very wicked sense of humour. One of my favorite Facebook pages that was set up is "Brisbane is flooding, everybody grab your sham wows - we have a city to save". SOme wags went to Suncorp Stadium (which went under water) and, on a statue of one of famous rugby league players put floaties, goggles and a snorkel.

Green and Maddy ... it's great to hear about such altruism!