I spent a couple of days this week in north-west Victoria, in the area around Boort and Pyramid Hill. In both cases most of the town was saved - in Pyramid Hill through the amazing, absolutely heroic efforts of locals and emergency services people. But outside the towns the water is everywhere.

( The aftermath )

I have errands to run and a journal to edit (run by grrrr!people, I tell you) so let me summarize the news (sorry about yesterday). If anyone else has up-dates or links, please feel free to post them in comments.

QLDThe clean-up continues, Queenslanders will be complaining about the heat (yeah? You should've been here yesterday! or in Coober Pedy ( Read more... )

And we're back:

QLD:
Another king tide is coming Brisbane's way, but this one is smaller than yesterday's. It's due in, in about half an hour.

The search for missing and presumed dead continues in the Lockyer Valley: "The Queensland floods have claimed more than 30 lives since late November and 20 people have died in the south-east corner. Nine ( Read more... )

Not sure why it's under "Victoria", but here is a story of two courageous survivors from Grantham in QLD ( Read more... )

QLD:
is in recovery mode, with calls for volunteers to spend their weekend cleaning the city's parks.

VIC:
Flood waters have peaked earlier than predicted and evacuations are being stepped up.

An inland sea (!) is threatening north and north-west Victoria, and may last for 10 more days at least.

Meet Tess the Wallaby, rescued from the flood ( ( Read more... )

First, a word from our sponsor....

Offers close in 1 hour
So if you have something to offer, do it now!

And now for the news:

QLD:
King tide set to peak soon and low-lying areas are under water again.

The reefs are affected now. But still come visit, 'cuz Oprah said so ( Read more... )

I posted this to my own LJ.

There are LJ V-gifts to support flood relief. So check 'em out! W00t!

Offers close in 9 hours!

On to news then:

QLD:
King tides are due to hit today, which follows a night where some areas already had repeat flood warnings. The areas that need to be especially mindful are listed on the Brisbane City Council ( Read more... )

Reminder: Offers can be posted until tomorrow (oh noes!) at 7pm AEDT. We need you (yes, you!) to pimp your offers. Let the bidding wars intensify!!

Apparently, Oprah did a voice over appeal on her show. Only watched the copulating koalas myself. Anyone?

QLDStorms appear to be the problem this week, with electricity out again last night for ( Read more... )

...from a place you in America have been/are being told has "some of the friendliest people on earth". So says Oprah. The rest of us are just wet & cranky.

Music around Australia for flood relief:

• Tonight: Dance Aid with Grant Smillie, Ruby Rose, Nervo Twins, The Stafford Brothers, Kaz James, Hook N Sling, The Potbellez, TV Rock, Zoe Badwi is ( Read more... )

First off, a HUGE round of thank-you applause to our co-moderator starrylizard for the awesome sticky note. It was based on charis_kalos's idea. ::clap, clap::

Flood victims are warned about diseases, including the infectious bacteria melioidosis. So, if you are cleaning up, dress properly -- not like Kevin Rudd.

QLD
Warning-photo is disturbing QLD Police release photo ( Read more... )