Disaster and aftermath

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Miss Rhi
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Disaster and aftermath

Post by Miss Rhi »

How we cheated flames of death - This is a journalist's true account of getting out of the bushfire. I cried reading this story, because this is what is happening in my city right now.

750 homes have been destroyed, 130 + people have died, including a newsreader from one of our network stations - Brian Naylor

To put into perspective exactly how close I am to the fire, here is a map , I live about 40 minutes away, from the B300 fires, with a smell of smoke in the air. It's very scary.

More than 20 people are in a critical condition
9 are on life support or in intensive care.
4 young children are receiving specialist burn care
750 homes destroyed.
330,000 hectares burnt out
31 fires continue to rage on
75 people died - 1983 Ash Wednesday fires (our worst bushfire since before this)

My husband and I donated a bunch of our clothes and etc. to assist with the cause. Tomorrow we will be donating some towels, bedding, food and bowls to the RSPCA to assist with the animals that have been rescued.

My brother, his wife and their three children live in a bushfire region and were evacuated out. My brother stayed back to assist the fire fighters and try and save some houses. We didn't hear from him for a few hours and it gave us a nasty fright. He is okay (luckily), but he is absolutely distraught at what he has witnessed.

A friend of mine, who is a fire fighter, was fighting a fire in Kinglake (a badly affected area), and he says that he was fighting the fire with his colleagues, in front of him. Then - he looked around and realized it had surrounded him. He thought he was going to die. Elvis (the helicopter that carries the water), dumped water on them and an emergency drill tanker was sent in. He says that without those actions happening - he would be dead. It saved his life.

Family friends had the fire come up on their property line and change direction. They are lucky to have their house standing, in a street where their neighbours have lost everything.

So far, I have one person unaccounted for. I fear for her safety, and have no ways of contacting her.

I hope that the people that deliberately lit these fires, get charged with murder and go to jail forever.

I will keep you posted - and will let you know if we get moved. I can't even put into words how terrifying it is here. It's even more devastating to see friends and family lose their homes and livelihood.
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skftex
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by skftex »

Hello Rhi

I've been following the news of the fires, it is all so very sad. You can be sure that we are thinking of all of you in Australia during this horrible time. I do hope if someone set those fires that they are caught.

I hope you hear from your friend and she has managed to leave or find a safe place.

Sharon
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Sinkwriter72
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by Sinkwriter72 »

Rhi, I've been reading about these fires and it's devastating. And of course it's even worse, knowing someone deliberately started the fires. Sick.

Is there anything any of us out here can do to help or send aid to those who have lost their homes in the fires?

I send my most positive thoughts for everyone out there, and especially for you to find your friend. Please stay safe, and keep us updated.

:romance-grouphug:
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ThyneAlone
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by ThyneAlone »

Rhi, I am so terribly sorry this is happening to you and your friends. By some stroke of synchronicity, I was going to mention this to you today and ask where and how you were. I am thinking of you and everybody out there in this nightmare. And I am going to find out if there is anything practicable and quick that we can do over here.

Take care. Let us know about your friend, who I truly hope is ok. :(
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Miss Rhi
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by Miss Rhi »

Hi all

Came on to update - plus it's 4.30am and I am going out of my mind as I haven't heard from my brother since he said he was moving into bushfire action and moving the caravan.

http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/ ... hfires.htm - you can donate to the injured wildlife and animals that have been rescued and desperately need care.

http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp - the red cross are taking donations. If you are an Australian resident, please give blood as many burns victims need it.

I am feeling so blessed with our CFA (Country Fire Authority) who are made up of volunteers as they are really doing such an amazing job.

Two new fires have started in Kilmore and Wandong, my father lives on the otherside of the hill. I have not heard from him since yesterday.

Will keep you updated and let you know how it all goes.

xxx
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sundy317
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by sundy317 »

Hi Rhi,I had just learned about all this when I read your posts.I'm just shocked...
We've had fires here a few months ago,they completely destroyed many fields and forests.But it doesn't compare to this,especially since there are people concerned.I have family in Australia,but as far as I know they are all safe and sound.
I hope everything turns out ok.I agree with the others,anything we can do to help let us know.And do keep us updated...
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Jude40
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by Jude40 »

Hi Rhi

Like everyone else here I just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and yours. They had bush fires when I was in Perth at my aunts a few years ago, they were only minor in comparison and I was freaked out so I can only imagine what you're going through.

It's a nightmare when you don't know if loved ones are safe I remember sitting with my friend when her boyfriend was caught up at the Hilsborough football disaster years ago and we didn't here from him for hours. That turned out well and I'm sure that all your loved ones will be ok too. I'll be thinking of you and your family and friends as well as the other people who are caught up in this horrible situation.

Finally how anyone who calls themselves a human being can set fires like this doesn't bear thinking about, the main thing at the moment though is to keep on hoping and praying for all those involved.

Keep safe Rhi

Jude x
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Miss Rhi
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by Miss Rhi »

Well another scary day, with a fire being lit three streets away from me.

My husband and I packed the car - had the dog and cat ready to go and were ready to leave when told.

Thankfully the fire department got the fire under control, after it jumped containment lines.

I am not going to lie - I was bloody terrified.

Amongst all these sad news - we have a happy one, http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25 ... 43,00.html

A koala was found by a fire-fighter, and was fed three bottles of water. FYI - Koalas don't usually drink water, but have leaves for nutrients and water replenishment. Watch the video on the above link, it will warm your heart. :)


===

My friend is still missing.
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irishdancer2
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by irishdancer2 »

I heard about this through another message board that I visit often. It's so sad, and so terrible that someone is deliberately starting these...

I'm glad you're okay :)
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Miss Rhi
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by Miss Rhi »

My friend checked in! She is fine!

*relief*

Although of course, with the good, comes the bad, another friend lost her home and beloved horses. She is shattered. :(
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by Sinkwriter72 »

Miss Rhi wrote:My friend checked in! She is fine!

*relief*
Oh, thank goodness, Rhi. I was thinking about you and your friend a lot these past couple of days, hoping for a positive outcome. I'm relieved for you all.

I'm so sorry about your other friend's home, and her beautiful horses. :(
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by TJ4ever »

I'm so sorry, Rhi! Glad you're ok!
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begolden
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by begolden »

My thoughts are with you, Rhi. I know how frightening and devastating wildfires can be. In the last few years two of my family members have lost their homes to the San Diego fires. However, we have been lucky here not to have too many fatalities. Indeed sad and tragic for you and your community.
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ThyneAlone
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by ThyneAlone »

Rhi, we haven't heard from you since mid-February. If you are still visiting, could you please let us know whether you and your family are OK? I think of you a lot. Though I do realise that there must be plenty of other things on your mind. :(
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Re: Bushfire disaster...

Post by JennyLea »

I'm so sorry about your fire situation this spring!! We still ahd tons of snow so we weren't affected. I hope you were okay and didn't lose everything.

Right now there are major fries burning in British Columbia Canada. They have evacutated many home and some have even been lost. I don't know what the whole situation is since I don't live anywhere near there but I know that it is grave. I have many friends and relatives down there.

I know the sense of panic that erupts when fires close in on you. In 1993 on a vacation to visit my Grandfather in his mining camp in the Yukon, we were trapped by a forest fire. I don't think I knew terror until that moment. My Grandfather and his brother happened to be on the other side of the fire when it blocked our only access out. They drove through the fire with a leaking fuel tank on the truck to get to us and call for help.

The forest district told them that they weren't going to get us out because Grandpa and uncle had the equipment and knew how to fight fire. Even though there were women and children in the camp. My Uncle physically removed four people from the helicopter, he only left the pilot, and sent the helicopter in to get us. He is still in trouble with the forestry because of it. We waited at anothe mining camp overnight waiting for news from Grandpa and Uncle. It was terrifying.

I'm so sorry that so many people lost their homes and lives. My thoughts are with all those affected.
:(
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ThyneAlone
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Re: Disaster and aftermath

Post by ThyneAlone »

I have renamed this thread.
This is for all the huge events that affect us in the world - natural disaster, war, famine. Many of us are affected in one way or another by things that happen on an international scale and we have an international membership. There have, for example, been many other destructive fires lately in areas of mainland Europe. Here I hope we can express our concern and sympathy and even find out how best to contribute to help out.
Miss Rhi, if you are still out there, because we haven't heard from you since those Australian fires were raging - thanks for this, and really hope you are ok.
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ThyneAlone
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Re: Disaster and aftermath

Post by ThyneAlone »

We are hearing increasingly about the new spate of fires in California. Hope you are all ok out there, guys. :(
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ThyneAlone
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Re: Disaster and aftermath

Post by ThyneAlone »

Just wanted to extend my deepest sympathy to all who have been devastated by the appalling flash floods in Cumbria in the UK over the last few days. And elsewhere, of course, because those 12" of rain in a day weren't restricted to that area by any means; and there was a small-scale tornado in Derby too. We tend to think of these freak occurrences as being confined to other countries; the UK is a bit smug about these things. Hoping that those people can climb out of this horrible hole and rebuild their lives.
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ThyneAlone
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Re: Disaster and aftermath

Post by ThyneAlone »

I've neglected this thread while there are so many dreadful things happening in the world.
There are so many incidents I might address, but for the moment, 2 things spring to mind: my sincere sympathies go out to all affected by the horrendous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, with its unimaginable consequences, and, more locally, to the people in Cumbria devastated and uncomprehending after a man seemed to go crazy and went on a shooting spree, finally killing himself. These events seem sadly more and more frequent, but the human wreckage left behind is no less appalling. Also noting that my last entry here was about Cumbria - how awful.

Sometimes we fail to look outwards and acknowledge how fortunate we are. :(
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Re: Disaster and aftermath

Post by Sinkwriter72 »

ThyneAlone wrote:Sometimes we fail to look outwards and acknowledge how fortunate we are. :(
Hear, hear, Steph. :(
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