Scots Taffer on 10/1/2011 at 23:34

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(http://www.google.com.au/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&biw=1071&bih=771&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=brisbane+1974+floods&btnG=Search) Bit of history for you when Brisbane flooded back in (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_Brisbane_flood) 1974...

Right now we're looking at a wall of water slamming through the rivers and countryside from the extensive flooding in the Northern half of the state... the current area of flooding is the combined size of France and Germany.

Flash-flooding has hit several areas and sadly 8 people are confirmed dead, over 70 are unconfirmed/missing, and this is prompting fears of a reprisal of the 1974 floods. Though we do have the benefit of a massive dam (built specifically as a result of the prior floods) as a mitigation device, which is currently at 140% capacity (has the ability to reach 200% before spilling). Understandably this is all causing concern as this rain has been constant and heavy for what feels like 2 months.

If "wall of water" sounds dramatic, (http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/01/11/3110273.htm) check out the video here.

I'm fairly well placed to avoid any damage, but others will not be so lucky. Let's hope it somehow breaks before then and there's no more loss of life, but given how quickly and devastatingly it is moving - that's not likely.

PigLick on 11/1/2011 at 02:39

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I read about water on some Brisbane streets this morning and thought of you Scots, good to hear you arent in any immediate danger.

Starrfall on 11/1/2011 at 03:11

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Has your ground ever heard of percolation?

Do you even have aquifers isn't this the only fresh water Australia has seen in years

We've recently had an unusual amount of rain in a short period of time earlier in the season than normal, but it's also been cold so a lot of it fell as snow, and the floodway I drive over every day isn't as full as it was last year. We (meaning California - we personally are pretty well protected by said floodway) could be in for it if we get a good warm spring storm - all of that snow will melt and pound on the various flood control facilities.

Flooding is now a matter of professional interest to me so I find myself sitting here ALMOST hoping we get a good one soon, we're probably overdue. (Maybe we'll get the earthquake we're equally overdue for at the same time, just to show you Aussies up.)

Haven't you also been in a drought for years? Always a fucker when you go from not nearly enough to getting absolutely dumped on.

Hope you stay relatively dry!

Scots Taffer on 11/1/2011 at 04:27

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Just had to pick up the kids from childcare (which closed as a precaution but already the roads were getting waterlogged) and then stopped by to grab some last minute groceries as there is a good chance that we might get some roads cut off. BIG MISTAKE. Panic buying is happening on an epic scale and trying to navigate that with two kids took some doing.

It's not looking good, the river is rising in the CBD, banks are already breaking and that's before we hit King Tide tonight and tomorrow plus the majority of the water is still making its way downstream and we're also about to release water from the dams. The rain hasn't stopped at all either, it's apparently averaging around 100mm an hour.

jtr7 on 11/1/2011 at 04:46

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Man... :sweat: