AUSTRALIA FLOODING

Australia is currently experiencing huge flooding from excessive rain.

Deaths and destruction... and inland tsunamis...

My news compared it to the U.S. Hurricane Katrina in destruction area - thankfully not equal in death toll - but the flooding continues.

My thoughts and prayers are with all our Australian brothers and sisters who are rescuing in these conditions and all those who are fleeing their homes to safety.

I am sure there is much better news on it - maybe FFN webmaster can post some, since everyone in Australia is working their tails off.

Google areas such as - Queensland Australia

http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/23819063

http://www.smh.com.au/business/queensland-shuts-down-20110112-19obp.html

http://www.newsmild.com/australia-flood-death-toll-rises-rains-cause-more-havoc

http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/23815550

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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on January 14, 2011 at 6:01pm

Sorry, but just going by looks.

Care to have your government come over and teach our government a thing or two?

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 15, 2011 at 8:24am

Apples and oranges, particularly when it comes to geography.

New Orleans is below sea level and the flood water there had to be pumped out. Power to the pumps had to be restored before that could happen, and since the power panels to to some of the pumps were underwater...well, you get the idea.

Brisbane is approximatley 24 meters (75 feet or so) above sea level, and as soon as the river level drops back within its banks, most of the water will simply flow to the ocean.

There's also the differences in Katrina being complicated by a hurricane that devastated the transportation, food, energy, health, communications, and sanitation infrastructure over a wide, heavily populated area. It is unclear how much of that happened in Queensland, but certainly they're not dealing with widespread wind damage on top of the flood damage.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 15, 2011 at 8:25am

Sorry to see the house damage.

What swiftwater rescue training, equipment, and team management techniques (if any) do the Oz fire brigades have?

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 15, 2011 at 8:28am

Key differences:

Oz has less population to evacuate.

Oz didn't have to deal with wind damage from a hurricane preceeding the flood.

Brisbane is above sea level so gravity gets the water out. New Orleans is below sea level and the water had to be pumped out.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 15, 2011 at 1:17pm

If the firefighters are not trained and equipped for swiftwater rescue, what mission do the firefighters fill when deployed?

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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on January 15, 2011 at 1:55pm

OMG TYLER

ARE YOU OK? Are your loved ones ok?

I am so sorry to see the destruction to your home. Please please stay safe.

Hugs and prayers from a far... take care...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((( TYLER))))))))))))))))))))))))))

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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on January 15, 2011 at 5:47pm

This really is the key, in NO, ALL of the infrastructure was destroyed. In Brisbane, most of the city is intact, so they have a lot of resources to work with.

FEMA's piss poor response exacerbated an already bad situation, but it was a nearly unprecedented disaster no matter what the response. Brisbane's in bad shape, but in a year or two you won't even notice the damage.

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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on January 15, 2011 at 5:48pm

Give 'em hell, bro! Next time I'm up your way I'm tracking you down and shouting a pint!

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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on January 15, 2011 at 6:04pm

Glad to hear you and your mom are ok.

Glad you are having fun BEING A FIREFIGHTER...

Nothing like real life experience to bring the whole job together for you and really help you focus and understand your community role.

I am very proud of you. Work hard. Get Rest and take care of yourself...