Victoria
My state, Victoria, has had what can only be called a hellish start to 2009.
We've experienced a heat wave like you wouldn't believe, with temperatures of 40+ degrees over a number of days. In the middle of this we experienced a tragic loss in Melbourne on the West Gate Bridge, and the past 36 hours have seen at least 650 homes go down in bushfires, the early death toll standing at 65 and expected to rise.
Last last week forecasts were predicting temperatures on Saturday worse than those back in 1939 on the day remembered as 'Black Friday' and 1983's 'Ash Wednesday'. The temperatures on Saturday did indeed rise above those of the past, with the highest temperature ever recorded in the state, 46.4'C. That's about 115.5'F. What made it worse was the high winds, which were extremely hot, and the fact that the whole state has barely seen a drop of rain since December, if that.
After a day of ravage bushfire, the fires continued through the night, changing winds causing the fires to change direction unexpectedly. With no warning at all except for the sound of crackling and ash falling around them, people realised that they needed to flee their homes. Almost all those who decided to stay to protect their homes have died, as well as many who died in their cars after leaving too late and becoming trapped.
I am honestly devastated by this situation and I can't even comprehend how the hundreds or even thousands of people who have lost their homes, have no where to go, and have lost family, friends, and neighbours, are feeling right now.
No one can ever imagine such an event happening to them and to see these people, our neighours, and hear their stories has brought tears to my eyes.
We've experienced a heat wave like you wouldn't believe, with temperatures of 40+ degrees over a number of days. In the middle of this we experienced a tragic loss in Melbourne on the West Gate Bridge, and the past 36 hours have seen at least 650 homes go down in bushfires, the early death toll standing at 65 and expected to rise.
Last last week forecasts were predicting temperatures on Saturday worse than those back in 1939 on the day remembered as 'Black Friday' and 1983's 'Ash Wednesday'. The temperatures on Saturday did indeed rise above those of the past, with the highest temperature ever recorded in the state, 46.4'C. That's about 115.5'F. What made it worse was the high winds, which were extremely hot, and the fact that the whole state has barely seen a drop of rain since December, if that.
After a day of ravage bushfire, the fires continued through the night, changing winds causing the fires to change direction unexpectedly. With no warning at all except for the sound of crackling and ash falling around them, people realised that they needed to flee their homes. Almost all those who decided to stay to protect their homes have died, as well as many who died in their cars after leaving too late and becoming trapped.
I am honestly devastated by this situation and I can't even comprehend how the hundreds or even thousands of people who have lost their homes, have no where to go, and have lost family, friends, and neighbours, are feeling right now.
No one can ever imagine such an event happening to them and to see these people, our neighours, and hear their stories has brought tears to my eyes.