After the River Recedes...

I watched the news footage from the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 and similar footage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But, I never would have imagined that someday it would be my city devastated by floods or my city making International News and asking for donations. Long after the news back home stops showing daily updates about Brisbane and other parts of Queensland, Ryan and I are going to be here watching this city and state rebuild. It's being described by the Premier as a "Reconstruction of Post War Proportions".

And it's already begun. In many areas around Brisbane, the water began receding rather quickly. More quickly than I could have imagined. 24 hours after the major surge, Ryan and I took a walk around our neighborhood.

Our street, which had been flooded the day before, was already being pressure washed...

Our building is directly to the right of where I am standing to take this photo and that black car on the right had water almost up to it's roof

...As was the Dockside Boardwalk, a block away.

24 hours earlier, the river level would have been well over where these men are standing

Kangaroo Point neighbors out cleaning up the Dockside Pathway the morning after the flood. Notice the back end of the boat that got pushed up on the walkway wall during the flood.

The next morning, I turned on the news and saw not only the Army...

(Photo Courtesy of LTMusicPhotography.com)

(Photo Courtesy of AnnSamHill)

But, also an outpouring of volunteers, both young...


and old,

(Photos Courtesy of Andy Zakeli)

descending upon Brisbane to help with the clean up. After they registered, they were bused to the neighborhoods with the most need. By 8 a.m., 5,000 Volunteers had already registered. Later that night we learned that in total 12,000 people had volunteered across the city that day. There has been an incredible sense of solidarity shown by Queenslanders to each other in this hour of need. And believe me when I say People are in need. This is the view for thousands and thousands of people.

(Photo Courtesy of Home_Borealis)

This is what it looks like across the street from our apartment



I knew staying home and watching TV on this Saturday wasn't an option. Even if it was going to be 90 degrees with 70% humidity and even if there was a much anticipated NFL Playoff Game on... we needed to get out and help.

Our friend, Patty, works at the River Life Adventure Centre on Kangaroo Point. We walked over there and helped out for a few hours. The day before, the river had been up to the windows on the lower level. To say that they had some cleaning to do is an understatement. The amount of silt left behind after a flood is indescribable. It was hot and humid, and I was miserable at times. But, then I'd see the young kids next to me cleaning without complaining, and that inspired me to shut up and keep working.

Patty showing off the 1974 Flood Level Sign at River Life. This flood level reached just below that sign

Three Amigos taking a break for a Photo Op

Helping The River Life Centre get back into Operation.

It really has been quite amazing to see the community come together to start the clean up effort. I realize it's only the beginning of a very long process, but if people can keep up this Queensland Spirit that we've been witnessing, I have no doubt that this State will be back to normal in no time.

**To see my full Gallery of photos from our clean up day at The River Life Adventure Centre click on the title of this blog entry.

Safe in the Middle of a Disaster Zone

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I've felt my fair share of Earthquakes, some more severe than others. Until yesterday, that was the closest I had ever come to a natural disaster. When I moved to Queensland a year ago, I came knowing that I would have an adventure. What I didn't expect was that the "adventure" would include being in the middle of these floods that Australia is calling their worst National Disaster ever.

Today is day 21 of the flood crisis. Most of the devastation in the first 19 days was slightly north to northwest of us. We've spent weeks watching the news as town after town was evacuated, most times by helicopter, as the flood water swallowed the entire town. The whole time, the torrential rain didn't let up across Queensland. Back in September, there were reports that it was the wettest September in over a decade, and similar reports came each month following that. The Wivenhoe Damn, considered full at 60%, opened it's spillway in September for the first time in over a decade, and Queensland declared their decade long drought was over. Today, the Wivenhoe Damn is sitting at 180%.

Two days ago, we watched on the news as towns west of us got inundated. The worst being the Lockyer Valley. The towns of Toowoomba and Grantham were hit with a wall of water 26ft high in some places. They are calling it an "inland Tsunami". There was little notice and much devastation. Soon after this, we got notice to prepare because the water was heading our way, and Brisbane WOULD slowly go under in the next 24 hours as that wall of water moved east toward the ocean.

Ryan went into Marine mode. While stationed in Japan, he went through Category 5 Hurricanes. To prepare, he put new batteries in all the flashlights and headlamps, put the flashlights in strategically placed locations around the apartment, filled the bathtub and a 60L tubby of water, made sure all of our candles were handy & went online to a food storage website and made a grocery list for 3 months worth of non perishable foods. After that, we headed to the store. There was no need to panic YET. The water wasn't set to rise drastically for another 24 hours. Thankfully, WE got plenty of notice.

The scene at the grocery store was, I think, typical for the "calm before the storm". It seems EVERYONE had the same idea.


But, I am happy to say, everyone was calm and patient. The workers were trying to fill the shelves as quickly as their customers emptied them. Because of the previous 19 days of flooding north of us, supply trucks haven't been able to get through, and shelves aren't being easily resupplied. Fortunately, We got everything on Ryan's 3 month list except powdered eggs.



After that we waited. I think that was the hardest part. Unlike the Lockyer Valley, the flooding in Brisbane was a slow process, a gradual increase in the river level. We took a walk along the Dockside Boardwalk in the evening, and we didn't really see much of a change in the river that day....

Yesterday, was a different story altogether. I woke up early and decided to walk 50+ yards to where our street dead ends at the river. To say I wasn't prepared for what I saw is an understatement. The entire boardwalk where Ryan and I walked 12 hours earlier was completely underwater and the water was still rising. In the few moments that I stood there, the water level increased enough to submerge one of the boardwalk's benches.





I hurried home to wake up Ryan and tell him what I saw. We turned on the news and learned that the water would slowly rise all day reaching it's peak of 5.5 meters (18ft.) the following morning. So, all day long we watched as the water slowly crept higher just as predicted. We watched as all sorts of debris, large pontoons, pontoons with boats still attached, dumpsters and cars floated down river toward the ocean. Watching runaway yachts and pontoons racing down a raging, dirty river is something I hope to never witness again.

After awhile we lost our power, which meant we couldn't watch news updates. So, we walked around our neighborhood taking pictures. We really didn't have to go far to see flooding, and the major surge wasn't due for another 12 hours. Already, the street just in front of our building was flooded. THAT was quite a sight!!

That's our building on the left

Yup, this me out front of our building before the major surge

I should probably explain.... We live on a narrow peninsula called Kangaroo Point. The Brisbane river is on two sides of us, and we are directly across from the Brisbane CBD.

Aerial view of Kangaroo Point. If you follow the Story Bridge at the tip of the Point to the left... you will see a cluster of tall apartment complexes close to the river. We live right there!!

We walked to both sides of our peninsula and watched as our frequented places got swallowed. I can't tell you how many times, I said, "Oh my gosh, look!" to Ryan or how many other bewildered faces we saw looking on as the river rose. It seems everyone in our neighborhood had the same macabre curiosity as we did. It's like a train wreck. You shouldn't watch...but, you do!!

Usually, the water level is on the other side of that tree line. Notice the submerged car behind the boat.

Behind the Jazz Club there used to be a river front patio that overlooked the Brisbane CBD across the river.

Our most frequented ferry terminal a block away from our house. Brisbane CBD across the raging river.

Since we had no power, Ryan BBQ ed salmon and a pot of peas. Like many of our neighbors, we sat on the balcony enjoying a glass of wine while keeping one eye of the rising, raging river across the street.



As the sun set, we knew the worst was still to come. Like I said, the forecast was for the water to reach it's peak at 4 a.m. For many Brisbane residents, the floods of 1974 are still in recent memory. Many places around Brisbane have painted flood markers showing where the water level reached. To know how high these markers are and to be told that the water is going to be slightly higher was a little disconcerting. So, we went to bed not knowing what to expect at 4a.m.

I can't really say I slept well. There was a bit of tossing and turning, and Ryan and I both were wide awake at 4 a.m wanting to see the effects from the surge. Our entire street was flooded. But, amazingly, the water stopped 20 ft. shy of our buildings front entrance. It looks like a few of the bottom level apartments may have minimal water damage. But, for the most part, our building avoided any major damage.

After looking down from our balcony at 4 a.m and seeing this...


We decided to take another walk around the neighborhood. But, first we had to make our way 5 stories down the pitch, black stairway with only a flashlight. Not fun for someone who is, admittedly, afraid of the dark. Safely outside, we walked around Kangaroo Point to see what Mother Nature dealt us. I think the biggest surprise for me was seeing the 400 meter long floating walkway, a Brisbane landmark, no longer there. I know there are going to be many other "oh my gosh" moments as the water recedes and we see other things destroyed by the current.

The Dockside Ferry Terminal, now an island, a block from our house.
Nature's Cruel joke...a gorgeous sunrise over a very swollen Brisbane River

Aussie Couple taking it all in as the sun rises over so much destruction

How eerie it is to see your neighborhood under water. There are countless neighborhoods far worse off than us. And, in the end, all that really matters is that we, and all of our friends, are safe and accounted for.

We are now set to deal with the aftermath. There will be plenty of clean up and rebuilding to do. Ryan and I are meant to be here for two more years. Something tells me that Queensland will still be rebuilding long after we've moved back to the States.

**To view my entire gallery of flood photos click on this blog's title "Safe in the Middle of a Disaster Zone" above.

Sun, Glorious Sun!

What do you do when it's summer time in Australia, there's a break in a month long rain storm and the glorious, yellow heat source in the sky finally makes an appearance? You head to the beach, of course!


Today, Ryan and I headed north to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. We started the afternoon eating pizza on the promenade overlooking the ocean, and there may have been a couple of Golden Ales with lunch.


After lunch, we plopped our rears in the sand and soaked in some Vitamin D. With all the rain storms this past month, we've been sticking pretty close to home. Can you tell from my smile how happy I am to finally get out of the house...


...and put my feet in the sand? Those are some HAPPY feet!


Ryan is like a kid at the beach, and I love it. I've never been a confidant ocean swimmer. Not since I was a kid and got tumbled in the waves like a washing machine while my family was on holiday in Santa Cruz. Today, we played in the waves, and I went further into the ocean than I've gone since I was seven. Thanks Handsome for such a fun, playful day.


In Australia, the patrolled beaches have red and yellow flags. To be safe, you swim between the flags. However, between the flags happens to be the most crowded area. Here's the view from our spot just outside the lifeguard tower and flags. Not a bad view at all.


On our way back to the car, we noticed the benches lining the promenade. How cute are these?


All in all, we had a fantastic day at the beach. We realize it's the wet season, and there's going to be heaps of rain during the summer. But, we can put up with the wet season knowing that on days like this, we will head to the beach!

Wii Fever!!

This is what the past week has looked like for me. We just got Ryan's Wii back from his sister, Nicole. I've never played Wii before, and I never understood what the craze was about. In fact, I haven't really played any video games since playing Pac Man and Frogger on Atari in the early 80s. Does that age me? Anyways, I now know what the craze is about. I am addicted!!

I would like to say that we spent our first Christmas in Oz, which falls in the middle of summer here, at the beach or having some outdoor adventure in the rain forest. But, that is not the case. We have been having cyclonic storms and going on a road trip just wasn't an option. In fact, walking around town hasn't been an option either. Not unless we want to get stuck in a torrential downpour, which seems to happen every half hour. When there's no pressing reason to leave the apartment, why leave? So, we have been hunkered down enduring this wet season the best way possible...playing games.

I know it must be painful for Ryan to watch me play. I have no clue what I'm doing. Weapons? What weapons? I thought I was just supposed to go fast! But, I'm learning. We've only played a handful of the games the he owns, Mario Kart being my favorite. I have missed riding my dirt bike, and Mario Kart is like a virtual ride on different tracks. I love it!!

Last night, I was complaining about how tired I was of being stuck indoors and how I wanted this never-ending rain to cease so that we could go outside. Later, we watched the News, and we were reminded that town after town has recorded record breaking floods. Many people have lost everything, and the flood waters are still rising. And to think...I was complaining about being stuck indoors. I'm thankful that Ryan and I are safely outside the flood areas. If being safe means being stuck indoors playing Wii for another week I'll take it!

Rainy with a Chance of Rain

Ya, Ya I know. Stop complaining right? I live in Paradise, and yet I still find something to complain about. Let me explain...

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as winter depression or winter blues, is making itself known to me. Is that even possible when it's Spring in Australia? I'm not sure. But, I do know that I was feeling a bit depressed last night, and I am ready for some sunshine.

It was the wettest September in a decade, The damn closest to us, The Wivenhoe Damn, opened it's spillway two nights ago for the first time in over a decade, Southeast Queensland is flooded, and only a few more centimeters to go and it'll be the wettest October in recorded history. And it's only October 12th.

When it rains in the tropics, it's not necessarily cold. Its just wet! Very, very wet. It's difficult to get motivated to go out in this weather. Therefore, we have been hunkered down for two weeks and are starting to get cabin fever. To make matters worse... the weather forecast for the rest of the week is rainy with a chance of rain!!