(no subject)

Finally some good news. The Brisbane River peaked a metre under what was originally forecast, but Brisbane is still an absolute mess with ~20000 properties affected. It may be weeks until some people can get back to their homes.

13 deaths confirmed, still up to 90 people missing, and the death toll will definitely rise as rescue crews finally get into the worst hit areas of the Lockyer Valley.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is beyond amazing. She's across everything, can answer most of the questions in the press conferences, and isn't afraid to show emotion. Universal praise for her.

The map below will give some idea of the area affected, as compared to the US. Keep in mind that a lot of NSW (about half of the area under Queensland) has also had floods through Dec/Jan with some towns in the west of NSW not expecting their flood peaks until the end of January. And houses have been lost this week in bushfires below Perth on the western side of the country.

( map )

(no subject)

Finally some good news. The Brisbane River peaked a metre under what was originally forecast, but Brisbane is still an absolute mess with ~20000 properties affected. It may be weeks until some people can get back to their homes.

13 deaths confirmed, still up to 90 people missing, and the death toll will definitely rise as rescue crews finally get into the worst hit areas of the Lockyer Valley.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is beyond amazing. She's across everything, can answer most of the questions in the press conferences, and isn't afraid to show emotion. Universal praise for her.

The map below will give some idea of the area affected, as compared to the US. Keep in mind that a lot of NSW (about half of the area under Queensland) has also had floods through Dec/Jan with some towns in the west of NSW not expecting their flood peaks until the end of January. And houses have been lost this week in bushfires below Perth on the western side of the country.

( map )