Qld Floods. Again.

[gstark]

The stories coming out of Queensland over the last few days indicate a level of weather events such as we rarely see. Certainly, the tragedy that hit Toowoomba yesterday defies my imagination.

I hope that all of our members, and your families, are safe and well.

And for those of us with no real understanding of what's happening here, the Boston Globe has published some images here. The subjects in these images will bring home some of the impact of what's happening to our friends and families in the north, but there's more; many of these images are from Getty and Reuters, and as such, they exemplify the quality of our hobby as well.

Enjoy these images, but also please think about what our neighbours are having to deal with.

[surenj]

Only today have a realised how serious these floods are. I have friends who are currently trapped in the small town of Gimpe. At least they have water, power, telephone lines and food supplies (through the grocer who gets stocked by boat?).

Let hope the rain stops soon.

[Killakoala]

My sister and her four kids live in Linville near the northern reaches of the Brisbane river, but thankfully as the floodwaters lap her house, she and the kids are safe and sound at my house in Tassie. She won't be going home any time soon though as there is no way she can get back until the waters recede.

[Geoff M]

All good here..so far! I live on a mountain so should be OK, having said that Toowoomba is on higher ground than me so who knows what will transpire. All access roads to Tamborine Mountain (four of them) are impassable to either swollen creeks, landslides or fallen powerlines so we are stuck here for a while.

I work on the mountain within 5 mins drive of home so no need to travel too far. The route I took this morning had a creek flowing over the road, so will no doubt need to take the long way home tonight.....about 10 mins drive

[gstark]

And here's some video of the flash flood occurring.

Makes you wonder how those people got home.

[the foto fanatic]

Chaos & panic in Brisbane. Water levels expected to rise quickly over next two days to levels higher than 74 flood.

Computer modelling indicates that around 7000 properties will be affected.

Parts of CBD being evacuated; my wife who works at a hospital told not to go to work tomorrow as it is expected that it will not be reachable.

[gstark]

Trevor,

Listening to Auntie this morning, suggested that your area may be in a spot of bother?

For all of our Qld and Northern NSW members, please take no risks, and stay with your loved ones, and stay safe.

Our thoughts are with you.

[the foto fanatic]

No Internet; posting by iPhone. Spent today helping people evacuate. Moved my car to higher ground. We will be OK as long as we have power. Have counted 50+ pontoons floating past, some complete with jet skis or boats. Quite surreal. Water lapping the bottom of my property now; level currently 4.16 meters & will peak tomorrow am at 5.5 meters. Might be interesting then!

[gstark]

Thanks for the update.

Look after your family and yourself. Property is not all that important, in the overall scheme of things.

Take care.

[surenj]

Being unable to help anyone in any other way, I have resorted to a donation. I encourage everyone else to do the same.

[Matt. K]

Thanks Gary! Some poignant images there! The power of photography to take us to a place is evident here. The loss of stock and wild life must be staggering!!! Bloody hell...from drought to this in a matter of weeks is just unbelievable!

[aim54x]

Mother nature is really not happy with QLD...my thoughts are with our QLD members...hopefully they pull through alright.

[Reschsmooth]

For a bit of lightheartedness in all of this...at least King Wally is ready:

http://qldfloods.org/sites/default/files/KingWallyStatue.jpg



It is really amazing seeing photos of places that I am somewhat familiar with being so far undewater, and so close to the centre of Brisbane. I really feel for the people who undergo such tragedy, even if it only relates to property. This relates to this, and all other natural disasters that we witness.

[gstark]

For a bit of lightheartedness in all of this...at least King Wally is ready:

http://qldfloods.org/sites/default/files/KingWallyStatue.jpg

Classic Qld humour there Patrick; thanks for posting that.