Can we just put the Queensland floods in perspective for a second? It’s not just Brisbane. It’s not just one or two towns.
It’s 75% of the STATE with large parts of Northern NSW thrown in for good measure. Queensland is a bloody big state. I mean really bloody big.
86 towns and cities are affected, either flooded or isolated.
2.5 million people have been affected in South East Queensland alone.
14 people have died just in the last few days, predominantly in the tiny, tiny towns of the Lockyer Valley. They are still looking for entire families that are missing, feared washed away in their houses.
There are regional towns and areas that were flooded 2-3 weeks ago, have just started cleaning up only to be evacuated and find themselves underwater again.
And let’s just get clear on what flooding actually is. It’s not just “water”. It doesn’t just make the carpets “a bit wet” (thank you douchebag on twitter who suggested this fact, may your balls shrivel up and fall off in the shower sometime soon). A flood is debris. Silt. Mud. Sewerage. Dead animals. Twisted metal. Trees. Cars. Disease. Rot.
It’s not like when you leave then window open and the rain comes in and makes a bit of a mess but hey that’s what towels and hairdryers are for. It’s shit. Literally, shit.
When the floods subside you are left with rotting floorboards, carpets, walls and in some cases ceilings. Many houses and business will need to be gutted and completely rebuilt.
Even if you manage to stay above the waterline then chances are you lose power. Your clean water supply may be limited or compromised. Your toilet probably won’t flush. Your food’s all gone rotten in your fridge. The surrounding businesses aren’t open because they lost their lot too. The roads are cut. The transport system is doing what it can but it’s hard to drive a bus down a road that isn’t there.
And then there are assholes who think they can just take a boat. There's a goddam bullshark swimming through a street in Goodna and a 300m floating walkway that has decided to go site-seeing down a raging torrent through the middle of a capital city.
Queenslanders, well Australians in general, particularly those in regional centres are a tough bunch. There’s still humour in all the mess. Some of the funniest comments on Twitter have been from those who are right smack bang in the middle of the disaster. There’s friendship and mateship and a generosity that makes a heart happy.
Premier Anna Bligh held a news conference earlier today that seemed to make most people’s eyes add yet more water to the nation. Like or unlike the lady, what Premier Bligh had to say as her voice broke was so damn bang on that it will be quoted for years to come. It was like a scene in a end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it movie where the president makes a speech about saving the planet, then some asshat up the back starts the slowclap and Will Smith goes and kills all the aliens. But better, SO MUCH BETTER:
"As we weep for what we have lost, and as we grieve for family and friends and we confront the challenge that is before us, I want us to remember who we are. We are Queenslanders. We're the people that they breed tough, north of the border. We're the ones that they knock down, and we get up again. I said earlier this week that this weather may break our hearts and it is doing that, but it will not break our will. And in the coming weeks and the coming months we are going to prove that beyond any doubt."
For those that are sitting and feeling a little helpless, there are a number of ways to assist. If you live in an area near the floods help your neighbours and friends by offering a place to stay, a hot meal or just a decent cuppa. If you want to volunteer for the clean-up then register here - however I think they are already way over capacity.
And to donate money please go to any bank and most credit unions, Red Cross, Coles supermarkets, Australia Post or www.qld.gov.au/floods/
People will need money to clean up, rebuild and purchase much needed items. There isn’t the manpower or the logistics to get clothes and furniture to the floodzone, that’s why monetary donations are required. If you want to give clothes etc why not sell them and donate the profits? The benefit of providing money is that it also gets injected back into the local economy and that’s what the businesses will need as they get back up and running.
Please help.
Thanks.
UPDATE: Please try this address instead for volunteer submissions
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