Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia

AussieG · 02-08-2009, 12:46 AM

On a personal note
My wife has an Aunt in Marysville that has lost every thing, and her daughter and children were trapped in a car when a burning tree fell on them, fortunately they were saved however the daughter is in hospital with head injuries.

in suburbia, 5 ks from us 6 houses were lost in a deliberately lit grass fire. People when to the shopping malls to escape the heat, only to come home and find their homes were burnt to the ground.

SteveT :
I was under the impression that people never wanted to live in Australia, they were transported there.

You have lost me respect!

Dantheman62 · 02-08-2009, 02:38 PM

84 killed in deadliest-ever Australian wildfires

HEALESVILLE, Australia – Towering flames razed entire towns in southeastern Australia and burned fleeing residents in their cars as the death toll rose to 84 on Sunday, making it the country's deadliest fire disaster.

At least 700 homes were destroyed in Saturday's inferno when searing temperatures and wind blasts produced a firestorm that swept across a swath of the country's Victoria state, where all the deaths occurred.

"Hell in all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters as he toured the fire zone on Sunday. "It's an appalling tragedy for the nation."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090208/...alia_wildfires

Dantheman62 · 02-08-2009, 06:11 PM

You can view about 107 pictures of the fires here!....
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Wildfi...5bc47205d6a779

Steve_A · 02-09-2009, 09:00 PM

Hi AussieG,

I'm very sorry to hear of the tragic events that happened to your family recently. When thing like this happen, it takes us by suprise and it normally hurts.

As for my quip about not wanting to go to Aus, I shouldn't take it too close to heart, that sort of comment has been flying around for years. I'm sure that later on you will smile and like a good Australian will tell me to f*** off!

Respect is something we earn, so I will try and earn your respect from now on.

I hope that everything is fine and keep safe.

Best regards,

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieG

On a personal note
My wife has an Aunt in Marysville that has lost every thing, and her daughter and children were trapped in a car when a burning tree fell on them, fortunately they were saved however the daughter is in hospital with head injuries.

in suburbia, 5 ks from us 6 houses were lost in a deliberately lit grass fire. People when to the shopping malls to escape the heat, only to come home and find their homes were burnt to the ground.

SteveT :
I was under the impression that people never wanted to live in Australia, they were transported there.

You have lost me respect!

Brinty · 02-09-2009, 09:29 PM

It is devastating and life shattering to lose family members and friends. The only comfort we have is that we will be with them again when our turn comes to cross that great divide.

It's the wildlife that I feel for. Not so much for the ones that die quickly, but for the ones that lay badly burned and still struggling to survive. Here are just a few photos of koalas that, in a complete reversal of their usual habits, have deliberately sought human assistance in their desire to live.

rhythm · 02-09-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinty

it is devastating and life shattering to lose family members and friends. The only comfort we have is that we will be with them again when our turn comes to cross that great divide.

It's the wildlife that i feel for. Not so much for the ones that die quickly, but for the ones that lay badly burned and still struggling to survive. Here are just a few photos of koalas that, in a complete reversal of their usual habits, have deliberately sought human assistance in their desire to live.

brinty those pic are heartbreaking mate ilove them little critters
so sad and sweet at the same time . Stay safe you ozzis.
We got a flood goin on in my town today , and more rain on the way .thinkin of you ,in difficult days .all love rhythmmm .

sunflower · 02-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Those Koala pictures are precious. It is so difficult as a tourist to get to see any. If they are asleep, that's it. These shy creatures must have been desperate.

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to all afflicted by this terrible firestorm. So unexpected and as some reports indicate perhaps deliberately set. Will there be extensive government assistance? Although no amount of help will bring back those who died. Our extreme climate changes have certainly begun.

A few years ago I experienced 37 degrees in Katherine Gorge (near Darwin) and was told that at the top the temp was 40 degrees. People were kayaking and having a great time. Me, I thought I'd faint. I very much prefer -15 on a sunny windless day.

Brinty · 02-09-2009, 11:11 PM

I agree with you sunflower about the temperatures.

We moved here from New Zealand in 1994 and it took us a while to acclimatise. Elaine starts to melt at around 26C (79F)

and I start at around 36 (97). We take turns in a cold shower over 40.

02-08-2009, 12:46 AM	#1
AussieG Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 187	Re: Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia On a personal note My wife has an Aunt in Marysville that has lost every thing, and her daughter and children were trapped in a car when a burning tree fell on them, fortunately they were saved however the daughter is in hospital with head injuries. in suburbia, 5 ks from us 6 houses were lost in a deliberately lit grass fire. People when to the shopping malls to escape the heat, only to come home and find their homes were burnt to the ground. SteveT : I was under the impression that people never wanted to live in Australia, they were transported there. You have lost me respect!

02-08-2009, 02:38 PM	#2
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia 84 killed in deadliest-ever Australian wildfires HEALESVILLE, Australia – Towering flames razed entire towns in southeastern Australia and burned fleeing residents in their cars as the death toll rose to 84 on Sunday, making it the country's deadliest fire disaster. At least 700 homes were destroyed in Saturday's inferno when searing temperatures and wind blasts produced a firestorm that swept across a swath of the country's Victoria state, where all the deaths occurred. "Hell in all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told reporters as he toured the fire zone on Sunday. "It's an appalling tragedy for the nation." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090208/...alia_wildfires

02-08-2009, 06:11 PM	#3
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia You can view about 107 pictures of the fires here!.... http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Wildfi...5bc47205d6a779

02-09-2009, 09:29 PM	#5
Brinty Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blackbutt, Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,004	Re: Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia It is devastating and life shattering to lose family members and friends. The only comfort we have is that we will be with them again when our turn comes to cross that great divide. It's the wildlife that I feel for. Not so much for the ones that die quickly, but for the ones that lay badly burned and still struggling to survive. Here are just a few photos of koalas that, in a complete reversal of their usual habits, have deliberately sought human assistance in their desire to live.

02-09-2009, 10:30 PM	#7
sunflower Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 443	Re: Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia Those Koala pictures are precious. It is so difficult as a tourist to get to see any. If they are asleep, that's it. These shy creatures must have been desperate. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to all afflicted by this terrible firestorm. So unexpected and as some reports indicate perhaps deliberately set. Will there be extensive government assistance? Although no amount of help will bring back those who died. Our extreme climate changes have certainly begun. A few years ago I experienced 37 degrees in Katherine Gorge (near Darwin) and was told that at the top the temp was 40 degrees. People were kayaking and having a great time. Me, I thought I'd faint. I very much prefer -15 on a sunny windless day.

02-09-2009, 11:11 PM	#8
Brinty Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blackbutt, Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,004	Re: Record-breaking heat scorches southern Australia I agree with you sunflower about the temperatures. We moved here from New Zealand in 1994 and it took us a while to acclimatise. Elaine starts to melt at around 26C (79F) and I start at around 36 (97). We take turns in a cold shower over 40.