To those not aware of the situation in queeensland (Brisbane) Australia we have a disastrous flood which has inundated 75% of the state with rising flood waters! The city and country towns (are in crisis) as we speak. With a situation with up to 20,000 homes in the CBD area alone seriously affected - being totally submerged under water. It has been described as the worst natural disaster to hit Brisbane - and queensland!!
The brisbane river which snakes around many suburbs in the brisbane capital city broke its banks yesterday and left in its wake a path of devastation upon which thousands and thousands of families were forced to evacuate there homes to higher and safer ground. (all of this mind you happening to a major capital city of Australia)
Thousands of families were forced to FLEE AND evacuate there homes - SEEKING refuge at emergency evacuation centres. 4000 families in need of emergency shelter.
LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST: 14 DEATHS TO DATE - Over 70 people are still missing and unaccounted for - at the present. And unfortunately that death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue teams move in during what they call (the recovery phase period)
In the town of toowoomba alone just southwest of the main city (BRISBANE) they recently had what can only be described as an INLAND TSUNAMI AS CARS WERE PICKED UP, FLIPPED OVER, AND CARRIED AWAY... HOUSES SWEPT AWAY...PONTOONS AND BOATS...ALL JUST SWEPT AND CARRIED AWAY...INTO RAPIDLY MOVING WATERS...TRAVELING AT A BREAKNECK PACE. Some of you might have seen news footage from your local broadcasters and i believe the scenes of this tragedy can ALSO be viewed on YOU TUBE!
Some of the neighboring towns and regional centres of QLD - deadset look like a war zone! scenes that have to be seen to be believed! Indeed it is very distressing and harrowing situation to those who have loved ones and those directly affected.
The situation is dire and resembles scenes from that of New Orleans and has continued to dominte news headlines all across the Globe and world. The damage and clean up cost will be enormous to get the city back on track and functioning as per normol again. Whole streets and suburbs have been completely submerged by water! As walls of water came gushing through leaving a trail of destruction and ruin through major highways, streets, high-rise builings, suburbs, local businesses and 1000's of family homes. With More than 50,000 homes directly affected in the flood over-all.
In fact: Some american journalist have described events in Brisbane as "catostrophic of a biblical proportion"
To further put readers in the loop of how dire the situation is - There has been reports of "panic buying" at the major shopping centres and sadly reports of "looting" as whole suburbs (being evacuated) have become veritable ghosttowns - and thus providing opportunists for thieves and crooks alike to loot (sadly)
When you take into account that up to 75% of the entire state of queensland is inundated and swamped by rising flood waters you get somewhat of a picture how critical and disastrous the effects really are! With so many people and families directly affected and impacted! and the cost to the local economy enormous. The good news however is the amount of help and support we have recieved from many overseas countries and there prime ministers and presidents offering assistance and emergency relief Aid. Please if you could be prayerfully mindful of these folk here in crisis - and stand with us in this moment of great grief and crisis. (Sincerely S.O.T)
