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Published: August 9th 2007
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The man and the water
Behind Doug is the entire Port of Sale. The ugly buildings on the left are the council chambers - they were evacuated last night Blogger Bec
Quick Noah, get building!
This month has seen it all in our home state of Victoria.
First, we have had the state's worst rail disaster when a truck sped through a level crossing and smashed into a V/Line train, killing 11 people.
The, last week we had a horrendous inner city shooting resulting in a death of a man whose only crime was to care about a woman who was being harrased.
Now, the entire Gippsland area (where Doug's parents live, and where we have been staying for 7 weeks) is suffering under a deluge of rain, wind and now floods.
Roads have been closed, schools are out of action, homes and livestock are ruined and there has been mass evacuations in some areas.
Luckily we have not been personally affected apart from getting a few extra work days as teachers could not make it into school!!
It's been equally scary and exciting being part of a "danger zone" - will we evacuate, will we be able to leave Sale to go back to Melbourne?
I feel pretty bad for feeling excited as so many people are losing
Just
Just putting along
This road runs past the community area where the Farmer's Market is held. It's also a lovely picnic area - ha! putting along
Just putting along
This road runs past the community area where the Farmer's Market is held. It's also a lovely picnic area - ha!
homes and their livelihood (farmers who are losing cattle to the rising waters) but I think the excitement is due to that "living on the edge" feeling that the media is feeding us all.
Wednesday was the worst day when we were lashed with up to 100mm of rain in a few hours.
From my nice safe, warm and cozy possie in the staffroom at a local primary school, I watched in trepidation as the shade sails above the playground were almost ripped from their struts. The concrete and steel struts were moving about 20 - 30 cms as they were buffeted - it was terrible. The wind was even stronger than gale force.
Further north, 3 rivers were flooded and as they converged and overflowed, the mass of water moved south and hit the port of Sale.
Our last entry was when we took a day trip up to the Lake Glenmaggie weir where Gippsland gets it's irrigation water from. The dam and lake were only about 20% full.
The Port of Sale
This area is usually completely water free - a lovely grassy green park with benches and a wrap around board walk! It has now burst it's banks!!
Last night, after watching "Ocean's 13", we went down to the Port and literally watched the water rise. Before
The Port of Sale
The Port of Sale
This area is usually completely water free - a lovely grassy green park with benches and a wrap around board walk!
the movie, we checked the level and it was where it should be. (We used the bottom of a boat ramp sign as our control point - was about 2m above the ground).
After the movie, the water was half way up the sign pole.
Today, the sign was completely submerged.
Dougo and I walked around the brand new marina board walk, and watched the water come up through the boards and over the side of the jetty. It took about 12 minutes to raise 20cm.
Scary!
We had to long jump over the exploding gutters in order to cross back to our car!!
We're back to the big smoke tomorrow, provided that the rain that has just started falling again doesn't turn into a torrent and block the highway.
Then it's wedding mania!!
Mum and Dad arrived on Monday,
The board walk
This is where we were standing last night - at the end of that ramp! bearing gifts and loaded suitcases.
Nana and my Maid of Honour, Cass, both arrive on Tuesday and last minute shopping takes place all week.
Stories and photos of the hen's night - and it's own entry - will be posted as soon as I get pictures from the night.
Till next time,
Bec
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