In the past 24 hours or so many of you will have seen images of deadly flash floods in Toowoomba in Queensland, with 9 confirmed dead and 59 people missing.
First of all I need to say we live around 1300 kilometres from Toowoomba two states away, so Deb, Lu and myself are safe and well having made our way home from Tassie on Sunday night. My older girls E and Io are also safe, more about that in a moment.
However, the floods have struck pretty close to home for me.
I have occasionally said I am originally a Queenslander, well Toowoomba used to be my home town. The images of the floods are all from areas I know intimately, it is quite sobering to see a place you have fond feelings for ripped to pieces.
Back to my older two E and Io. Because of our ties to Queensland our “big girls” went on a road trip before Christmas.
Their destination - Toowoomba.
I found out about the floods through a phone call from E yesterday afternoon. She warned me that we would hear terrible news about Toowoomba in the evening. She was getting in first to let us know that she and her sister are safe so we wouldn’t have to worry.
They are staying at a friend’s house that is well above the floods.
The only slight issues are: they are cut off in Toowoomba, all roads out of the town are still cut; they have to boil water before drinking it because of contamination fears; and there is no bread or milk left in the remaining shops.
So given what might have been we are very fortunate.
Hopefully some more cheerful posts in the next few days.
17 comments:
I've been watching the news closely. It is truly surprising - I've always assumed floods come gradually, like the one we recently had in Yass. And thought the only fatalities were people making mistakes trying to cross flooded roads or kids being silly in the water and ending in tragedy. This came so fast, like a huge gush of water.
Glad your girls are safe and hope they are keeping high spirits, it would be an emotional event to go through.
Oh I'm so glad to hear your daughters are ok!! Phew!!!
It's been terrible watching this on the telly! I do have my sister and her kids in Queensland - it's ok, they're safe - but it's such a worry especially as the flooding doesn't seem to be receding at all!!!
But I hope for better weather and news soon. Take care please!
x
I'm so glad to hear you and your family are OK, Al. I hope your two girls manage OK while they're there.
Fingers are all crossed here for better weather and receding flood waters.
ooh good on her to call you first! I'm glad to hear they're OK
So glad that you and yours are safe, Al! I hope that we hear some good news on the missing.
I've been watching the news with growing horror and much sympathy. We know something about floods here in Cumbria. I'm so glad your daughters are safe Al. My heart goes out to all those people who have lost their homes, their livelihoods and worse.
I'm glad that your family is safe, in both places. I've been reading about this and it's heartbreaking. You're all in my prayers....
Oh how scary! I think if I were there it would be a little exciting, but if my kids were there I'd be a wreck! Hang in there. I'm very glad you got word they are safe and hope they can get out soon!
What a relief you're all safe. I'm sorry for the all the trouble those floods are causing. Prayers for you and yours.
I'm glad to hear you and your family are safe from the floods!
I was just reading L'Aussie's blog about this too. The disaster in Australia is horrifying. I'm so glad that you and yours are safe.
My thoughts and best wishes are with Australia during this time.
Jai
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As Jai said, I've also just been reading Denise's post about this.
Over here in the UK we've had some terrible floods in the past few years but the pictures we are now seeing of these terrifying Aussie floods is somehow more shocking. The scale is just awful.
So glad your daughters are safe and had the thought to let you know in advance.
I do hope they continue to stay safe and well throughout this horrid episode.
I'm sorry for all the troubles out there - hope things improve soon. Very glad that your loved ones are safe!
Thank goodness you are all safe. The images of the floods are just horrific. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
So glad to hear you and yours are all right. The flooding is horrific, the loss of lives and livelihoods devastating. Thinking of you and praying things will be back to normal soon.
Take care and stay safe.
Hi Al .. glad you're all safe and hope the girls and their friends won't be cut off for too long - the aftermath will be very difficult.
Nature just has its way .. all the time anywhere, any place .. with thoughts to you and yours .. Hilary
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