When will Queensland cop a break | ExpatWoman.com
 

When will Queensland cop a break

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 14:16

I have no friends or family in Queensland but feel anxious for everyone in the path of Cyclone Yasi.
It is said to be twice the size as Cyclone Larry and on a par with Hurricane Katrina. I cannot imagine sitting there waiting for this thing to hit. Winds could get up to 300km/hr.
It will be a miracle if there is no loss of life. I know us Aussies are a resilient lot but I don't know how much more the Queensland state can take.
My thoughts are with anyone that knows people in the path.

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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 19:30
Finally had a chance to check EW and am delighted to read that all the Aussie EW ladies have had good news about their family and that they are all safe and unharmed. Fantastic! :) What a few hair-raising hours we all sat through. Fingers cross that the affected towns got as much support and clean-up assistance as Brisbane got during the floods. I am sure the Aussie spirit will shine through and everyone will pitch in. <em>edited by SJAussie on 04/02/2011</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 17:53
We were finally (!!!!) able to speak to my MIL today who lives in Tully!!! :) What a relief... they somehow, miraculously didn't lose their roof - their neighbours all around did though :( And they are safe and sound... Their garden was severely damaged and they lost sheds etc - but who cares about that! They were extremely lucky... I've been so worried about them. I had such a ball in the pit of my stomach all day on Thursday - I was sure something horrible was going to happen to them and we were stuck here unable to help. We finally got a text from my SIL letting us know they'd been in touch. What a relief!!! I hope everyone else who was affected or has family affected can find some time to appreciate how lucky they were - lost or damage property is horrible, but at least they're alive. Hopefully with the Army, SES etc in town in Tully and Cardwell now rebuilding will start and people can begin again - my heart goes out to all those who lost so much. xxx
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 14:43
just horrific..i followed it via abc news constantly and couldn't sleep...that must have been such a scary night and now such a horrendous clean up and loss to so many. great that major centres were not as affect - yes a miracle for sure - but lots of devastation and affect to lives, livelihoods and property.......so sad. my heart goes out to everyone affected and anyone who had to go through in (there amid the cyclone or worries families here or anywhere)..just awful
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 14:38
Wonderful news that more Aussie EW families are ok after Yasi. :) Awesome news today too that the one Innisfail man who was missing has been found alive and well on his yacht. :D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 12:58
Kylie, so pleased to hear your family came out the other side ok. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like trying to find information and get hold of them from so far away. Its quite a miracle how Cairns had had another escape from mass destruction, but makes me sad how the media is downplaying the 'devastation' just because Cairns and Townsville escaped the worst of it. The news here in Oz today has been saturated with Tully, Tully Heads, Cardwell, Mission Beach and Dunk Island. It's just taken them literally a day to get into those areas I think as it was too windy still yesterday to go up in helicopters, and the roads were so bad - undermined, littered with debris and flooded - that even 4 x 4's and the army couldn't get through in places. So sadly, Australia has been "brought up to speed", so to speak, today. Many of those communities simply look like they've been napalmed. The rainforest has been denuded, not a house stands. Particuarly Tully Heads, Mission Beach and Dunk Island who took the brunt of it as it crossed the coast. My head is spinning even imaging how they will go about rebuilding... it was such a beautiful part of Australia and there is literally nothing left but rubble. The rainforest has been ripped to shreds and even concrete house slabs lifted and smashed. {:-(
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 11:49
I have been in a panic about my family in FNQ all week and completely forgot about all of the Aussies on EW! It would have been a big support having EW up whilst checking the bureau of metorology cyclone updates and web updates like a mad woman all night on Wednesday! Would have been nice to see it on the news but it was all about Cairo. A storm the size of Hurricane Katrina that could have potentially killed thousands obviously wasnt quite as important! I think Australia can be forgotten at times being so far away from the rest of the world! Anyways, Shellly so glad your family fared ok. Mine are in Cairns and Gordonvale just south of Cairns and I was beside myself with worry when Yasi was heading straight for us, calling them constantly for updates, but everyone is fine and only a bit of vegetation damage. A few friends further south with some minor building damage and no one hurt thank god but I have a friend who lives here originally from Tully though who's grandfathers house was ripped apart and she couldnt get a hold of her dad on the phone. Poor thing must have been beside herself. Its quite a miracle how Cairns had had another escape from mass destruction, but makes me sad how the media is downplaying the 'devastation' just because Cairns and Townsville escaped the worst of it. I dont think the poor people in Cardwell, Tully and Mission would be agreeing they got off unscathed. Anyway, the good news is all (bar 1) survived and I think the state govt, police and emergency services did a commendable job in evacuating people and ensuring everyone was as prepared as possbile. As Anna Bligh righly put it 'property can be replaced but people cannot'. What a patriotic and stressful couple of weeks though, thinking of all Aussies affected by the recent crazy weather and hope this is it for now x So glad to hear your family weathered the storm-what a relief
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 11:47
I have been in a panic about my family in FNQ all week and completely forgot about all of the Aussies on EW! It would have been a big support having EW up whilst checking the bureau of metorology cyclone updates and web updates like a mad woman all night on Wednesday! Would have been nice to see it on the news but it was all about Cairo. A storm the size of Hurricane Katrina that could have potentially killed thousands obviously wasnt quite as important! I think Australia can be forgotten at times being so far away from the rest of the world! Anyways, Shellly so glad your family fared ok. Mine are in Cairns and Gordonvale just south of Cairns and I was beside myself with worry when Yasi was heading straight for us, calling them constantly for updates, but everyone is fine and only a bit of vegetation damage. A few friends further south with some minor building damage and no one hurt thank god but I have a friend who lives here originally from Tully though who's grandfathers house was ripped apart and she couldnt get a hold of her dad on the phone. Poor thing must have been beside herself. Its quite a miracle how Cairns had had another escape from mass destruction, but makes me sad how the media is downplaying the 'devastation' just because Cairns and Townsville escaped the worst of it. I dont think the poor people in Cardwell, Tully and Mission would be agreeing they got off unscathed. Anyway, the good news is all (bar 1) survived and I think the state govt, police and emergency services did a commendable job in evacuating people and ensuring everyone was as prepared as possbile. As Anna Bligh righly put it 'property can be replaced but people cannot'. What a patriotic and stressful couple of weeks though, thinking of all Aussies affected by the recent crazy weather and hope this is it for now x
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 09:17
One death reported this morning. Twenty three year old man died from inhaling fumes from a generator he was using http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/04/3129837.htm. Still a couple of people missing - very sad. But an amazing outcome for such a huge storm system. The Emergency Services and Anna Bligh should be commended on their great effort to keep everyone informed and ultimately safe. Ah, thats sad :( But yes, what an amazing outcome for such a b!tch of a cyclone. Mother Nature should go easy on us QLD'ers from now on!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 07:26
It really is kudos to the Ozzies for coping with this so well..... Well it looks like you have had your lot of bad luck (floods, Yasi and of course the Ashes) - lets hope it's a while before you have anymore.... Although Cricket World cup is about to start....... :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 05:08
One death reported this morning. Twenty three year old man died from inhaling fumes from a generator he was using http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/04/3129837.htm. Still a couple of people missing - very sad. But an amazing outcome for such a huge storm system. The Emergency Services and Anna Bligh should be commended on their great effort to keep everyone informed and ultimately safe.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 04:11
Fab news Shellly! My mum is also safe & well. Lots of trees down on their property, an injured horse and some dead guinea fowl- but they are safe and their house is undamaged. Now if the flooding here in Vic would end, we would be really happy chappys!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2011 - 03:30
Shellly, that is fantastic! I've been sweating on this news for 24 hours now. Came in yesterday morning to see how your family had fared and couldn't get in!!! jeez, you'd think they'd give you some warning they were closing the site for upgrade. Anyway, enough of that... I'm so happy to hear that your loved ones are all ok. My best wishes to them for the future.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 February 2011 - 16:36
SO happy and relieved to report all my family and friends are safe and well and no major damage to their properties ;) LIKE!!! Such amazing news to wake to this morning shellly. I still am gobsmacked that a storm system that BIG and powerful hit populated land and nobody was injured! Only one man reported missing in Innisfail area but authorities are confident he's ok somewhere, just cut off and no telephone service.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 February 2011 - 15:43
SO happy and relieved to report all my family and friends are safe and well and no major damage to their properties ;)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:49
Found this one, and its working! - live stream from Cairn CBD. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cyclone-yasi-cairns-cbd
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:42
She said they were well aware of the approaching storm, that they last talked to neighbours a couple of days ago who were all preparing their homes to ride out the storm. It's only the evac call they missed which I can imagine would easily happen in those more sparsely populated areas. Anway, all they can do now is to ride it out.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:37
Did they not have any outside contact with the world for the last week?? Surely they had to have heard something that this was coming?? Finegrs crossed for them.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:35
One of the six stranded people on the phone to CH7 now. They did not receive evac warnings and did not call for help. She's saying they called police just to let them know they were there. Poor buggers. Prayers to them!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:16
Interesting perspective: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/how-cyclone-yasi-compares-around-the-world/story-fn7ik9ph-1225998762870 This site might also be helpful to those with f & f in the area: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cyclone-Yasi-Updates/159989674052293?ref=ts&v=wall OK, I am really going now, LOL...
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:02
Aww thanks SJAussie, that is so lovely of you to say!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:00
I must have missed that one too Green-ish. I thought everyone was evacuated from all of them yesterday! I agree, Anna has handled herself very well with the communications over the last month. As to her other competencies as Premier I will refrain from comment. I think I am going to have to head off. Good night all, see you on the flip side tomorrow with hopefully some news that your family and friends have made it through relatively unscathed.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 17:00
Having watched the way Anna Bligh handled the Brisbane floods and now this, she really is amazing. She comes across as a human being with feelings and genuine warmth, yet our Prime Minister is the complete opposite! Listening to her address the nation in her talks is painful, like watching a robot with a bad voice. Can't stand Julia Gillard - she sounds so uneducated and represents everything that most Australians try so hard not to be - ocka. Anyway, am getting side tracked sorry. Anna Bligh actually sounded teary at the end of the press conference - it must be dreadful to just tell everyone best wishes and we will see you at the other end of this when we come to help, knowing there is nothing more to do at this stage. Shelly, I have never met you but if I was in Dubai (I am AD based), I would come over right now, give you a big hug and sit with you through the next few gruelling hours while you wait to hear how your mum is. :)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:54
I wonder why the islands weren't evacuated? Over 100 staff on Dunk Island tonight?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:54
Having watched the way Anna Bligh handled the Brisbane floods and now this, she really is amazing. She comes across as a human being with feelings and genuine warmth, yet our Prime Minister is the complete opposite! Listening to her address the nation in her talks is painful, like watching a robot with a bad voice.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:50
Just watched Premier Bligh's press conference live on QLD Police website - from what I can see that is one amazing women who is just getting so much thrown at her and seems to be holding it together well. Just also read that they confirm there have been 9.2 metre seas of Cairns. She is doing a really good job. There have been reports of 18m waves, but apparently the measurements are all thrown out because the buoys are not used to waves breaking over them when they do their readings, so who knows what's happening up there.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:50
...Good job you are a such a resilient lot. If nothing else, we are resilient! ;)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:48
I don't know BMAP. People on holidays up there may well have missed reports. You know, the laid back Nth Qld way of life. If they were well stocked and haven't been out and about, no radio, no TV. My friend in Bowen has been saying all day that it's really just been "very windy"...Anna Bligh saying a little while ago that parts of the coast up there have been strangely calm all day. Prayers going their way tonight. Their apartment block will flood and they are in grave danger.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:48
Just watched Premier Bligh's press conference live on QLD Police website - from what I can see that is one amazing women who is just getting so much thrown at her and seems to be holding it together well. Just also read that they confirm there have been 9.2 metre seas of Cairns.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:47
Poor Queenslanders. I can only imagine how terrifying this must be. My thoughts and prayers are with them all and especially for those here who have relatives caught up in this. Australia is having it so hard lately - yesrs of droughts, the terrible fires last year, devastating floods and now in the south record heatwaves and the risk of fire again. Good job you are a such a resilient lot.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 16:47
Oh Shellly - *hugs*. This is like a bad movie. I hate disaster movies. I want to fast forward it now and come out on the flip side. Apparently there are 6 60-something year olds up there near the coast who chose not to evacuate. There is no way 6 adults could have missed the media coverage urging everyone in the tidal zone to leave by the end of yesterday. A couple of hours ago, the police received an emergency call asking them to come and evacuate this group. Obviously, they can't. It is just too dangerous out there to risk lives to save lives. These people have been told to make their way to the second (top) storey of their unit block in the hope that they might avoid being swept away by the surge that will come. Silly, silly pople. I hope they make it through. I hope they make it too! But they deliberately chose not to evacuate when it was mandatory. I agree, SILLY people!!! Complacency can be a dangerous thing!!
 
 

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