It's strangely quiet here, too quiet. There are no cars driving past, no firecrackers that usually mark this time of year. With Chinese New Year just around the corner, it's supposed to be a time of celebration. But the Gods have turned and tonight, many are taking shelter in relief centres or friends' homes.
It started raining on Tuesday night, the night I was in hospital and hasn't stopped. Tonight, the river burst it's banks and both bridges are under water. That means the town, shops and supermarkets are all under. No-one knows how badly, there are no reporters, news coverage or even radio reports. It's just quiet.
People have had to make their own decisions and arrangements about where to go and when to get out, or so it seems. My best friends house, with all their books and computers, two of my students homes and the autistic centre are under water. Electricity is being cut, bit by bit, to housing estates as the water rises.
The flood of 2006 was supposed to be the big one. Once every 50 years the authorities said. 5 years later, people are going through it all again, but worse. It's unbelievable, that with all the work that was supposedly done on the drains, that the same thing has happened.
My house, so far, is OK. We're cut off from town, but there's no flooding around our immediate area. I still have water and electricity. We've stocked up on food, gas and water and hopefully it will be enough. Our phones are charged and tomorrow, all being well here, we may be able to help our friends.
I feel like I should be doing something, anything, but really there's nothing to do, except keep our own house in order and help out when needed.
If I don't follow up this post, it means the elect has been cut. But I will post updates when I can, to share this scary little journey we're about to go through. Send your positive thoughts people, we need them.
Some links:
segamat town, what it looks like
2006 flood
Segamat.com
3 comments:
Sending you positive thoughts, hugs and love from Melbourne.
Keep us posted!
xxxxx
I hope you are all above the water mark.
The "Segamat town and what it looks like" link gave rise to some interesting translations.
I also had some difficulty in locating some areas pictured using “Google Earth”.
It is a shame that “Google Earth Street View” is not yet available.
Stay dry and best wishes to all.
thanks melba, it must of worked cos the water has receded in most of the town. Most people are in clean up mode. I'm looking after children while people clean their houses. Got 4 extra staying tonight.
MrS we're above the water line, so no problem there. We're much luckier than most.
I don't think we'll see the google car cams here anytime soon. We're t the ends of the earth, or so it seems.
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