Monday, January 10, 2011

Bad news comes in threes

I'm so glad that I don't live in any of the parts of Australia that are affected by the devastating floods or bushfires that are currently threatening people. A major flood disaster is currently unfolding in Queensland, with vast areas of the state already devastated and the capital city Brisbane preparing to go under. I believe the authorities are advising to avoid making unecessary land-line phone calls to Brisbane.

Nine people are already confirmed dead in Queensland, and it looks like the worst flooding ever in most of Queensland, maybe the worst ever in Australia. After a major flood in the 1970s a dam was built to protect Brisbane, but still they are expecting flooding just as bad as the last disaster. Banana-benders have a heart-breakingly beautiful type of timber home built on stilts called a "Queenslander" that is apparently hot in summer and cold in winter, and a good meal for termites I would expect, but built to withstand flooding. But these floods have gone beyond the floorboards of many homes. Some homes have been just washed away. If you can do anything to help, please do!

Perhaps it is best not to live in a place that has a name that means "swamp" in the local Aboriginal language. I am so much over my envy of river-front real estate.

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