Queensland floods - Biblical proportions.

[Avril]

They're used to annual floods, so they build their houses on stilts. This year, Queensland's floods are the worst in their history.










Bit different to India's floods earlier this year, but still tough on people.

[PigsnieLite]

Whut is THAT CHILD doing in the water? He could catch a watery disease! And did they ever rescue that marooned kangaroo?

[sunfrog]

All those ozzies look happy. Are you sure they're distraught? Can kangaroos climb trees? I love that guy's t-shirt.

[PigsnieLite]

Philippine Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. Pigsnit went there too, to check on Mums poorer relations. Not Biblical but a Monstur Typhoon probably hits the Philippines every 5 years or so.

[Avril]

They're tough, Queenslanders, and pretty good natured. Actually, why can't you enjoy a disaster if you can? Plenty of people can't.

[shoegirl]

I hope most people in Queensland own a boat...

[PigsnieLite]

That hatted gentleman being helped off the boat wuz amazingly well-dressed too.

[Avril]

I used to think that populations in third world countries were more resilient when it came to disasters - because they were used to not having a great deal, and because first world countries, like the US in Katrina, were more spoiled, feeling entitled to immediate aid and too soft to deal with deprivation. Now I wonder about that.

Research shows that people who are happy can withstand more pain and discomfort than those who are unhappy. It seems that hope is the most important thing. In Queensland, even though they have floods every year, they are dealing with this Biblical flood cheerfully and, it appears, a little self-consciously. If they were not predominantly middle class and well superannuated, their faces would no doubt look like those of these citizens of Quezon City in Manila.

[PigsnieLite]

Actually I still think Westerners are still too *soft* to deal wid *deprivation.* Look at how the French totally freak out at the thought that their retirement age will be raised two years to 62 or something. *Enfin! To labour at my cushee office job iz a thought not to be borne!*

But when you are poor, like most Filipinos, you just suck it up buttercup, collect the remains of your shanty, and rebuild. Its resilience and, I think, resignation. Its like that song my mum used to sing. *Que sera sera. Whutever will be will be. The futures not ours to see. Que sera sera.*

[PigsnieLite]

Sounds like the floods are getting worsur. All over the Beeb tonight.

[Avril]

The Fitzroy River is expected to peak tonight, and maintain that level for two to three days.

They've got most people out. As you can see, livestock that remains is left to drown or be eaten by saltwater crocodiles.

[Avril]

An area bigger than France and Germany combined is affected...

[PigsnieLite]

Are any foreign countries sending aid? Also, I notice that even though the floods are incredibly high, the houses are very well built and dont look like the wrecks of New Orleans after Katrina. Maybe the people can save more stuff.

[Avril]

Well, no hurricane devastation like Katrina, just rising water.

What will be left in the wake of these floods is going to be heartbreaking. Devastated crops and massive erosion after years of drought, dead stock, and in homes, pets that had to be abandoned and might not have not been rescued by the RSPCA because of the danger of crocs and snakes in the water.

[sunfrog]

What is that big hill in the background in that photo? Why don't people go up there?