Saturday, January 8, 2011

Our Town is Flooding...

Floods seem to occur on a cycle here about every 10 years. This is the first one we have experienced - and boy has it been sudden! Sure we've had lots and lots of rain over the past few weeks / months, but during last night the Mary River rose and rose and rose and this morning we all woke up to flooded streets, closed bridges, and hundreds of residents driving around and photographing some amazing sights. Including us. ;)

For your interest, and my own personal record of what could be the biggest flood we ever see in our town.

Approaching one of the bridges that has gone under, with dozens of other interested people

The bridge is under all that water somewhere. :) You can see little bits of the white side rail sticking up

We drove down a little side road until we reached water. You can just see the top of the street sign of one of our major roads here

This is another parkland. The white thing is the top of the Train Station for our historic steam train which runs through the park several times a month. The track is completely underwater

More of the watery train track

The Sailing Club and Theatre
(Theatre will be fine, Sailing Club... not so much)

Our beautiful main park, totally underwater

A major intersection outside Woolworths, our grocery store. On the left of the photo you can see the water flooding into the undercover carpark

The same intersection from the other side

The poor sailing club :(

The scariest part is that the river is sitting around 8m at the moment, but is set to rise even further in the next 24 hours due to continued rain on the catchment area. They're looking at a peak of 9 - 9.9 m by tomorrow morning. And the forecast for the next several days? Rain.

Thankfully we live out of town on a high hill, far above the flood zones. During some downpours yesterday 9 sections of road were covered in water between town and our place, but still low enough to drive through. Praying hard and hoping for some sunshine soon!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, it looks devastating. :(

Karen said...

My husband was looking at youtube clips last night of flooding in Australia and I wondered if you were anywhere close to that...

Renata said...

Hi Saminda
I've been wondering how you guys were going - I heard that Maryborough was next in line to be flooded. Glad your home is alright - I'm wondering how my uncle who lives in town is faring.
Keep dry & thanks for the update.
Hope tomorrow's a little drier
Renata:)

Anonymous said...

I heard about this on the news yesterday, and was hoping that it wasn't near you. Praying for you!

Shonni said...

I’ve been reading about this! Wow the pictures are amazing!

Ann at eightacresofeden said...

I have quite a few photos of our road when we had the big flood a few years ago. By then we were used to seeing the bridge into town under water, flooded farmland and the news helicopters flying over as this town has been cut off on numerous occasions. Our road is always cut off when the river goes over the bridge but we too live high and dry - just means being prepared and having a well-stocked pantry, the neighbours though had to be evacuated in the middle of the night. During the last big flood my husband got stuck in town for 3 days. He managed to get to the bottom of the road but the waters were too deep so he stayed with a friend on the other side of the water! I know people though who lost everything. Apparently, our river is on flood watch for tonight.
I was thinking of you last night when I saw the weather map. It is good to know you are also high and dry.

Sharnee Torrents said...

WOW! We've been seeing sooo much on the news, it really is a terrible flood and soooo many things lost! I'm soooo pleased to hear that you are ok and we pray that the people who have had their homes ruined will soon be feeling the benefits of the appeal!!
Smiles Sharnee :)

Vic said...

It's a bit scary isn't it Min? I'm just hoping and praying that it stays below the predicted level and our friends are safe! xx

Jen's Busy Days said...

Had you moved off your big property yet? Wow,though for all that water, and just over night, that is scary.

Hope you and yours stay safe and well, and that you are able to find ways to help others.

Best wishes
Jen in NSW

Unknown said...

It is pretty scary isn't it.
We live in Bundaberg and just saw our worst flooding in 60 or so years and you really have to see it to believe it...

Praying for your little town :)

Smilie girl said...

Oh dear, I had been hearing that the Mary River was rising. Thanks for the photos. Glad to hear that your house should be ok. My heart goes out to those in the lower parts.

jenb said...

Hi Saminda, Mark and I just had a few days away, we returned to be diconnected from our hildren as they are staying with grandparents in Granville, looks like we could be apart for a week, would appreciate your prayers as this mumma's heart is breaking.

Christie said...

These floods are so devastating, I'm hoping those levels don't rise any further for your town. Your photos are great, thanks for sharing them and thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a thoughtful comment. Take care.

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