(no subject)
You can find my thread HERE. I am offering icons, and gifs (and probably other things if you'd like).
If you are wondering why we are raising money and/or why you should be interested in helping, please click the following LJ-cut.
#qldfloods hashtag @ twitter
+ QPSmedia - QLD's Police Force twitter
+ @brisbanecityqld's list of relevant and informative flood twitters
* percentages are reflective of populated landmass over total landmass
I'm posting this to boost the signal regarding the current state of the flooding in Queensland.
As of today, the floods have affected nearly 200,000 people over an area that is larger than France and Germany - to put it into another perspective, an area that is the size of the American state of Texas is currently underwater. An estimated 22 townships have been left either isolated or inundated by the rising flood waters. Three of the major river systems are currently at flooding capacity. The rain is continuing to fall, and the flood is extending across to the South-East corner of the state. It may soon reach the NSW boarder. Toowoomba was hit yesterday with flash flooding - with walls of water eight metres high - which has decimated the town. The current death toll for Toowoomba alone is nine, with seventy-two reported missing.
75% of Queensland's coal mines are flooded out or shut down due to inaccessibility, and coal isn't getting into the ports in Sarina or Gladstone. Queensland is currently the supplier of 50% of the world's coking coal. This isn't taking into account the sheer scale of damage that has been done to crops and farmland, as well as the tourism industry, which are three of Queensland's biggest economic pullers. The sheer financial cost and recovery time the state is going to need to recover from the damage is going to be astronomical, and the rain is showing no signs of stopping any time soon. (The current damage estimate, with townships set to be hit again and more rivers to peak, is sitting at $5 billion dollars. This is only going to climb.)
If you can spare anything, even the smallest amount, online donations can be made to The Premier's Flood Relief Appeal, or through one of these alternative options.
Thank you for your time.
eta1: Please feel free to signal-boost in your own journals/communities and link to this post off-site.
eta2: ABC News' 24hr stream is now available internationally without a geographical lock. It can be found here.
It has just been reported that three quarters of Queensland has been declared a disaster zone. 65% of the state is underwater.
eta3, 8:39pm CDT: 75% of Queensland is now underwater. This is the size of Texas times two.
eta4, 10:06pm CDT: The power to Brisbane's CBD will be turned off at 7am AEST.
eta5, 8:07am CDT: The banks of Brisbane River have burst. Ipswitch is underwater, with the death toll now raised to 10, with 90 reported missing. Two towns will be evacuated today in NSW as the flooding spreads south of Queensland.
There is also a FIC FUNDRAISER.
PLEASE, do not think of this as paying for graphics. That is not what were doing here. You are donating to a worthy cause, and receiving a little karmic kick back as a reward. Any and all bids are appreciated. Thank you.