It never rains but pours!

March 1, 2022
rain

rain

We’ve all heard the saying “it never rains but pours”. It usually means that misfortunes or difficult situations tend to follow each other in rapid succession or to arrive all at the same time. That has been true in recent years I have to say, but also it has not rained but poured quite literally!

It’s been true because since late 2019 we’ve had one thing after another causing stress, devastation and chaos – bushfires, a two going on three year global pandemic, the shocking and heartbreaking invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and a terrible rain event on the east coast of Australia causing flooding, loss of lives, homes and livelihoods.

This post concentrates on the latter – the weather event on the east coast of Australia.

Gympie, the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Brisbane, Gold Coast and many places inbetween. And now it’s down in NSW at Lismore and Ballina and headed for Sydney and surrounds. The widespread devastation is heartbreaking. I’ve seen images of people stuck on roofs waiting to be rescued, rescuers cutting through tin roofs to retrieve people from roof cavities so they can be lynched to safety, rescues from submerged cars, and much more that is very hard to see.

And let’s not forget the animals. They have been caught out too and many are not made to swim. I saw a plea for help today from Wildlife Rescue Queensland for donations to their Go Fund Me Wildlife Rehabilitation Appeal.  That’s one way to help but I’m sure a quick Google search would find more if you are keen to help save our wildlife.  I also saw this post today by Dr Chris Brown outlining some simple things we can do to help make a difference for our wildlife. I must say that the photograph of the drenched Koala wrenched at my heart. As an animal lover it always would, but even more so now that our beautiful Koalas have sadly been declared an endangered species.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Chris Brown (@drchrisbrown)

This weather system is like one never seen before. Here in South East Queensland we got 80% of our annual rainfall in just a handful of days. It was relentless and hovered over us longer than expected. Previous floods resulted from ongoing rain over many days or weeks. This one has been described as a rain bomb sitting over us. As well as rain there were severe thunderstorms thrown in now and then as well.

Here’s a small snippet of the impact of this weather event – photo credits to abc.net.au  news.com.au  floodlist.com  news.sky.com  and Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Facebook Page – here and here.

I have been very lucky where I live. We are high and dry and safe. I had a lot of worry about Mum over on the other side of town on her own but thankfully everything was fine at her place and she managed ok. Luckily I had been there just before this all started and had done a grocery shop for her, so she was well stocked with food. My sister is finally over there with her now (after her husband found a convoluted way to get her there due to many of the usual routes having road closures as they are flooded).  My heart goes out to all of you who have not been as lucky as me. I am seeing it all unfold on the TV and it breaks my heart to see all the suffering and loss. But you know what warms my heart?  It’s the smiles and laughter and humour and people getting in and helping one and other and the positive, resilient Aussie spirit that makes me so proud to be an Aussie and very proud to be a born and bred Brisbane girl. 

I think that’s enough ‘unprecendented events’ (are you as sick of hearing that term as I am?) for a long, long, long, long time … don’t you think?  

If you’d like to help out those affected by these floods, here’s a few ideas of how you could:

  • Donations to St Vincent de Paul Society (‘Vinnies’) Queensland Flood Appeal can be made here.
  • Donations to St Vincent de Paul Society (‘Vinnies’) New South Wales Flood Appeal can be made here.
  • The Salvation Army is taking donations for both states here, with the funds to be distributed to where they are most needed.
  • Shoppers at Myer stores around the country can also donate to The Salvation Army’s flood appeal at the checkout, as can customers at Woolworths stores in NSW and QLD from tomorrow.
  • Red Cross – Qld and NSW Floods Appeal – donations can be made here.
  • The organisation GIVIT has made a list of more than 68,000 items needed in the recovery efforts, with options for donors to send the items or pay for them to be purchased. The organisation is strongly advising people not to send unrequested donations to impacted areas, noting that unrequested donations hinder recovery efforts by overwhelming charities. Needed items include new pillows, sleeping bags, livestock feed, washing machines and a range of different vouchers. See the list of items and donate here.
  • Brisbane City Council and Volunteering Queensland are calling for volunteers to sign up for the Mud Army 2.0 to help clean up Brisbane. People can sign up to join the army or register to alert the army of where help is needed here. There are currently only plans to establish a Mud Army in Brisbane, but Volunteering Queensland has urged people from other regions who want to volunteer to standby for further updates about volunteering groups.

On a lighter note, because things are feeling far too heavy these days, how about a little dash of young Judy Garland singing …. wait for it … “It never rains but pours” !

To my fellow South East Queenslanders, and in fact anyone along the East Coast of Australia – tell me, have you been impacted by this weather event?  Are you ok? Are you getting help?  Do you need help?  Please do share your story in the comments.

Ciao for now,

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16 Comments

  • Reply Natalie March 2, 2022 at 10:32 am

    Hi Min, I read about the devastating floods in Queensland and NSW. I’m glad you and your family are OK. My thoughts are with people who are affected by this natural disaster. Thank you for sharing your updates and how to help. #lifethisweek

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 3:52 pm

      Hi Natalie – we are all high, dry and safe here. The same can’t be said for many others in our city though. It’s been so terrible for many.

  • Reply Natalie March 2, 2022 at 10:36 am

    Hi Min, I left a comment earlier but it didn’t seem to stay so here’s my take 2. I read in the news about the floods in Queensland and NSW. I’m glad you and your family are OK. My thoughts are with people who are affected by this natural disaster. Thank you for your updates and the list of how to help. Stay safe and well. #lifethisweek

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 3:52 pm

      Hi Natalie – I think it’s just taking a while for comments to register. I got both your comments but that’s ok! xo

  • Reply Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid March 2, 2022 at 2:35 pm

    I really thought 2022 was going to be the year where we turned things around but so far it’s been a total wash out. My heart is so heavy with all the terrible things going on at home and abroad – floods, war, a pandemic – it feels like Armageddon. However, at times like this I think it’s important to look for the helpers so thank you Min for putting together this post and sharing so many practical ways to make a difference. So pleased you stayed safe and dry and your mum too, that must have been such a worry for you. Here’s to happier days ahead!

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 3:54 pm

      It’s just one thing after another isn’t it? It’s all a bit much so yes I totally agree with your Armageddon comment Sammie! I guess we just have to go within and find our calm and carry on. Cheers to happier days ahead indeed!

  • Reply Denyse Whelan March 2, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    Well done Min on using your blog not only to record this for yourself but to share how others can help. It has been also been awful too watching a whole NSW town go under more than ever before. I know the lie of the land in NSW more than Brisbane and see that those on hilly places are OK but those closer to rivers and lakes not so much. I also stopped watching a lot but in your case, being concerned for your mum I would have been monitoring it all too.

    Thank you for sharing your blog post for the final #lifethisweek link up…you were part of my blogging history as it was the 280th link up!!

    I look forward to having you link up when I am next back with #lifethismonth on Monday 14 March 2022. Same hours and days open as for #lifethisweek.

    Warm wishes,
    Denyse.

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 3:55 pm

      Thanks Denyse. Things got even worse – particularly in NSW – since I wrote this post. It’s unbelievable. Happier days ahead I hope! xo

  • Reply Debbie Harris March 2, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    This is so useful Min, my heart goes out to all those impacted and it’s often hard to know how we can help. Thanks for your links and ideas. I’m so pleased you and your mum are safe. My daughter lives north of Qld and her garden and rumpus room flooded (it’s a rental place) but it has been so awful for many others. It’s not been a happy time lately has it? Take care.xx

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Thanks Deb – I’m glad it’s useful. My heart goes out to everyone who has been impacted too. Our home is our haven and to lose that haven would be extremely traumatic, but to lose a life to this event is unfathomable. I’m glad your daughter is ok though I’m sure she has damage to deal with! It’s been a terrible time for so many. There must be happier days ahead, don’t you think? xo

  • Reply Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au March 2, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    It’s been surreal looking at all the flood pictures popping up on my Facebook feed Min – it’s SO dry here – we had a 5 minute sprinkle of rain today – the first in weeks, and then it was gone again. It’s awful when there’s a weather event like what’s going on over there and scary when people are cut off from each other or homes are lost. Seeing the depth the water got to at times was really scary – so glad you and your mum are both okay.

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Leanne – how weird it being so dry over there and so soggy and drenched over here. It’s one extreme or another in this country most often! This is the worst and most widespread flooding event I’ve even known of here in Australia in my life. Hope you’re fairing ok over there now your borders are open! xo

  • Reply Leslie Susan Clingan March 9, 2022 at 4:33 am

    I have been so caught up in the situation in Ukraine that I hadn’t heard about this dreadful flooding in Australia. I am so sorry. This past year has been a very strange one climate and weatherwise. A much warmer winter for many parts of the U.S. than normal. Our trees are beginning to bloom this week with highs of 75*F/24*C but now we have snow forecast for Friday. Very odd.

    Glad you and your mother are safe and dry. Praying that the rains are soon behind your part of the world. Stay safe.

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 4:02 pm

      It’s been devastation overload for us all – the situation in Ukraine is just devastating. It breaks my heart! Then the horrendous loss of homes, lives, livelihoods over here from this massive flooding event has been even more devastation. Then Covid and always new variants. Holey Dooley! Thanks so much for your good wishes Leslie! You stay safe too! xo

  • Reply sherry March 9, 2022 at 9:15 pm

    it’s all a bit overwhelming right now. we were lucky in the floods but have realised that our roof must have been leaking so will probably have to get all the insulation removed and who knows what else needs to be done up there? I feel so helpless really. I have donated to various places but it still seems like it’s not enough. and i’ve not really had the energy to worry much about the Ukraine – yet! And my brother died last month; we thought he had months more to live. crumbs! I need a break from all this… anyways wishing you all the best in these troubled times.

    • Reply Min March 15, 2022 at 4:07 pm

      I’m sorry to hear your roof leaked Sherry! I know what you mean by feeling helpless. I kind of feel guilty because my home was not affected at all. I’ve donated and I would’ve loved to join the Mud Army but its a bit too risky for my current health issues so donating and sharing links to where people can help is about all I can do. I’m so very sorry to hear you lost your brother last month! My most sincere condolences. Grief is a really hard road to travel so please take good care of yourself. All the best to you too Sherry. xo

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