Dark days in the sunshine
Wed, 12 Jan 2011
As most of the world knows by now my home state of Queensland is facing dire floods. 75% of the state is disaster affected and the water keeps rising. 36 years ago as a 12 year old I witnessed this city succumb to the last big flood. Now I am back in my old city of Ipswich and even though the rain has finally stopped and the sun has come out the flood will be even bigger than the "big one" back then.
I awoke this morning to the sounds of alarms and helicopters. We are safe on a hill but just a few blocks away the river was creeping into the business district. At 6 o'clock I ventured out and this is what I found. The waters are still rising and the peak will be at least 2 meters higher than the levels in these photos. 4000 homes will be flooded. Downstream in Brisbane, ten times bigger than Ipswich the number of affected properties is just that, up to 40000 homes and businesses inundated in some way. It is not over yet.
I wanted to post something beautiful today like every other day, a pretty picture, a lovely home but I can't. I am so overwhelmed by what is going on around me. My head is spinning with the incessant drone of helicopters, the ceaseless stream of cars carrying sightseers up my normally quiet street to reach the lookout, the guilt that we are safe and others aren't. I couldn't post those pretty pictures. These will have to do. Keep us in your thoughts as this disaster unfolds. I realise now that there is something beautiful today. It's the spirit of the people in my state. We will get through this, we will rebuild, we will be helping each other all the way.
I have power at the moment and fingers crossed I will still have power tomorrow. I am stuck in Ipswich for the next few days unable to get to work and will continue to post. Next time it will be pretty pictures I promise. If I am offline you'll know why though. Take care everyone out there. Stay safe my fellow Queenslanders. Back soon!
Reader Comments (85)
Thinking of you and wishing a change of luck and all good things to your neighbors who've been flooded.
Dear Jo, the news has been so disheartening the last few days. Here in America we are such barbarians, killing each other on the streets. I was so focused on the brutal killings and the absurdity of gun ownership when I saw the flooding in Australia. Humans need to set aside differences and band together. Throughout both of these events, I've marveled at the heroic acts of many people, leading me to believe there are more good people than bad. My wish is that humans will stop killing each other and provide a hand when their brothers and sisters need it.
Sorry for the diatribe. Thanks for listening. I've been thinking about you and your country mates and have been praying for you. I am so glad you are safe.
Was in Queensland just a couple of months ago and am shocked at what is happening there. Be strong. Much love from New Zealand.
I've been watching this on the news tonight and it's truly shocking. Thoughts are with you and your family and friends. Keep safe x
Have just seen the awful pictures on the news here in the UK. Glad to hear you are safe. Thinking of you and everyone else in Queensland today.
Jo, I've been thinking about you and all of those in the flooded areas. Thank you for posting your amazing photos of the flooding. And thank you for the best interior design site on the Web! -- Tricia in Seattle
Dear Jo,
I have been watching the news daily and thinking of you and everyone else in Queensland, I follow Desire to Inspire everyday with anticipation what todays post will be.
I feel saddened by the devastation that surrounds you at present, take care,
Warmest regards, Margo on Vancouver island.
Hey, we are a strong state, and we will get through this. I live in Toowoomba and now that the sun is out, we're working hard to get things back to normal. Hang in there. :)
i have never comment before, but i want you know that i'm thinking of you and those around you. the devastation is heart wrenching. i'm glad you're on a hill. i will continue to pray for all of you.
Thinking of you and your country from Mexico.
You, and the rest of the Queenslanders and other Aussies are in my thoughts. Stay safe.
Good luck and best wishes from Tucson, Arizona . . . I just watched my own city go through its own tragedy, and even with the horrific, there has been much that is good and inspirational. I hope you will find it there, too, and that people stay safe.
Thinking of you all! My bestfriend from home (Toronto) now lives in Brisbane and has giving us updates via email. It's all so terrible!
Lovely words Jo, and so true. Keep your spirits up.
I've been following and feel so horrible for the loss of all the Aussies. But I know they will pull together. The video footage is incredible. Thinking of you and everyone else effected.
Jo,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your fellow Queenslanders. Stay safe
Dega,
Vancouver, Canada
All the best from Chicago--wishing you continued health and safety!
Thinking of you from California
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and fellow Queenslanders. Stay safe.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was getting teary reading all of your well wishes. The river is falling after thankfully not quite the terrifying predicted peak. The water only reached 20.5m not 22m. Thank goodness! It means hundreds and hundreds of homes were saved. The river has already fallen to 14.5m. Still a major flood but falling steadily. The clean up has begun and people are mucking in to help. Muck ... oh the mess! I'm still stuck in the city unable to get to work but I braved the shops today (no milk, no potatoes, no tinned food, very few vegetables, the bakery working round the clock so fresh bread) but the panic buying is still going on. Tomorrow I'm off to see who I can help with cleaning up the mess. It will be easy to find someone. Just walk up to a property near by and start cleaning up the debris and mud. Thanks again for being there for me.
YAY!!! I am so glad to hear it's getting better now and not worse. And you didn't lose power! But when the water recedes it's going to be so terrible to see the damage done....
Truly sorry to see such a sad post on this blog which brings me so much pleasure every day here in Philadelphia, USA. May things get better soon for all in Queensland.
Dear Jo,
I hope the worst of the flooding is over and that everyone finds the strength to get their lives back together.
Best wishes from Montenegro.
Iive in Ipswich England and although we have had bad weather situations in my lifetime ,can never imagine anything like the flooding you are experiencing .I run an online mag in Britain so am at my desk every day , but after answering emails , before getting together with the team I always look at Desire To Inspire because it gives me a good start to the day. Keep up the good work and keep safe.
So sorry. A huuuuuge good luck from Belgium. Take care !