Apparently 71 homes were lost to the fire in my area and many more damaged.
No one lost their lives, for which we can be very grateful. The work done by the fire brigade and volunteers was amazing!
The fire is not yet out - but it is contained and controlled. Most people have been let back into where their houses are / were, but not every one - some areas are still too dangerous.
Living near the fire you hear stories of friends / acquaintances / relatives of friends at every turn.
There's the good news stories - 8 out of 9 houses in one street were destroyed, the one left standing belongs to a family with children in my girls' classes; mother and aunt of a work mate still have their respective houses although one hasn't got in to see it yet.
And the sad stories - 17 families at the school (probably only 250 families in the school in total) have lost their homes; there's a notice up at the local shops about a young mum, she's okay, but her and her 5month old bub have lost everything. Friends have provided a place to stay, but she needs clothes, and baby stuff and everything else.
And then there's the impact that you don't initially think of - access to the area has been impacted by a bridge being burnt down, so now the journey to my girls' school is longer and on a road that isn't designed for the amount of traffic it is now taking. So they've reduced the speed from 70kph to 40kph - so now the trip takes even longer. Girl Guides was cancelled on Monday night - the hall is behind the fire station and access is now blocked off so not to interfere with emergency vehicles. These are, of course, minor things but it does bring back to you how intertwined things are.
Most of the people have insurance, so that will help (eventually) with the rebuilding of their homes, but there are so many things that insurance can't replace.
You do what you can, give what you can but you really feel it's not enough.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Wind and fire
I was woken this morning around 1.26am by the sound of a massive gust of wind. There were a couple more over the next couple of hours, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I looked out the door around 9am.
Luckily, there appeared to be no damage to either my place nor those of my neighbours. However, later in the day I saw this (four blocks from my house):
In other news, we heard about a fire north of us (Redhill area) - we decide to take a drive up there to watch the helitankers.
On the way back we were listening to a news report that said a fire had broken out in our suburb.
We were expecting visitors so we headed back to our place and down the main access road into our suburb. Quite close to our place we found the road blocked by four ambulances, two fire engines and a variety of police vehicles. We then turned round and headed home where we rang our visitors and provided alternative access information.
The fire was only about 6kms from our house but it was heading north north east away from us - which was good for us, but not so good for other people. Apparently, at this point, it is believed that 35 houses have been lost :( There are no reports of loss of life, hope it stays that way.
The fire is still burning out of control and the wind is gusting up to 60kph, so my thoughts and prayers are with those people in its path and the firefighters and volunteers fighting it.
A news report on the fire can be found here.
[UPDATE] Apparently this fire was started accidentally by someone doing grinding.[/UPDATE]
Luckily, there appeared to be no damage to either my place nor those of my neighbours. However, later in the day I saw this (four blocks from my house):
In other news, we heard about a fire north of us (Redhill area) - we decide to take a drive up there to watch the helitankers.
On the way back we were listening to a news report that said a fire had broken out in our suburb.
We were expecting visitors so we headed back to our place and down the main access road into our suburb. Quite close to our place we found the road blocked by four ambulances, two fire engines and a variety of police vehicles. We then turned round and headed home where we rang our visitors and provided alternative access information.
The fire was only about 6kms from our house but it was heading north north east away from us - which was good for us, but not so good for other people. Apparently, at this point, it is believed that 35 houses have been lost :( There are no reports of loss of life, hope it stays that way.
The fire is still burning out of control and the wind is gusting up to 60kph, so my thoughts and prayers are with those people in its path and the firefighters and volunteers fighting it.
A news report on the fire can be found here.
[UPDATE] Apparently this fire was started accidentally by someone doing grinding.[/UPDATE]
I think she takes after sister
Miss 7 is talking to hubby, complaining about the fact that I've asked her to fold the dry tea-towels and put them away.
Miss 7: "I had to fold and put these away yesterday."
Me, walking past: "Well I fed you breakfast yesterday and lunch and dinner. Maybe I should only feed you once?"
Miss 7, after a short pause: "You're not in this conversation."
Miss 7: "I had to fold and put these away yesterday."
Me, walking past: "Well I fed you breakfast yesterday and lunch and dinner. Maybe I should only feed you once?"
Miss 7, after a short pause: "You're not in this conversation."
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Post Op Update #5
Just heard from hubby. Looks like someone made a mistake yesterday and that he is actually clear of infection.
They've stopped the antibiotics and are working on the release papers now.
Thanks for all your support everyone.
[UPDATE] He's HOME!!! [/UPDATE]
They've stopped the antibiotics and are working on the release papers now.
Thanks for all your support everyone.
[UPDATE] He's HOME!!! [/UPDATE]
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Post Op Update #4
Hubby's release from hospital has been delayed.
Apparently some of the cultures show signs of infection. We don't know the full story yet nor the implications of this.
Thoughts and prayers please we're all a bit shaken up by this news.
Apparently some of the cultures show signs of infection. We don't know the full story yet nor the implications of this.
Thoughts and prayers please we're all a bit shaken up by this news.
Thoughts and prayers for those in the path of Cyclone Yasi
TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 15
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 2:57pm EST on Wednesday the 2nd of February 2011
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi at 3:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near...... 17.0 degrees South 148.4 degrees East
.Location accuracy........ within 30 kilometres
.Recent movement.......... towards the west southwest at 35 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre... 285 kilometres per hour
.Severity category........ 5
.Central pressure......... 930 hectoPascals
Northern Queensland is in the path of this giant.
For some idea of how big this thing is, here's a picture of the cyclone area overlaid on a map of the USA.
Thoughts and prayers for the safety of everyone in its path.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Post Op Update #3
Saw hubby today. He's looking very well and walking with the help of a single crutch only.
The doctors and physiotherapists are very happy with his progress - so much so that they're thinking of evicting him either tomorrow afternoon / Wednesday morning.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
His mate is going okayish. They're talking about transferring him to the local hospital - which would be more convenient for his family. Please keep the prayers coming for him in this regard and his recovery.
The doctors and physiotherapists are very happy with his progress - so much so that they're thinking of evicting him either tomorrow afternoon / Wednesday morning.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
His mate is going okayish. They're talking about transferring him to the local hospital - which would be more convenient for his family. Please keep the prayers coming for him in this regard and his recovery.
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