A Day Of Devastation - Page 3

bloodhound31 · #41 08-02-2009, 11:21 PM

I recently took stock of my life and the things that are REALLY important.....My wife and any living creature I look after. That's really about it. In fact, when the Christmas bushfires years ago in Sydney came dangerously close to my house, I got in the car and said, "Stuff the house, if it burns, it burns." and I left it to burn. Happily it didn't.

You know, somehow, I don't think losing my house to a bushfire, (usually a natural occurence) would be anywhere near as bad as losing it to people who are doing that sort of horrible stuff to each other on purpose.

Of course, I have never lost all my life's savings and hard effort in one bang like that, so I can't imagine what it must be like.....but it makes one think real hard......what if...?....What would I do?

I pray for comfort for all those who have lost someone in this.

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #42 08-02-2009, 11:26 PM

its all too too terrible.
how awful

WadeH (Wade) · #43 08-02-2009, 11:26 PM

Have been watching the excellent coverage by SkyNews all day. Unbelievable. Our thoughts go out to everyone over east! If its not fires its floods. Such tragic loss of life, 85 now.

As an ex western victorian I know many of the affected areas well, thankfully my family are all well and out of the fire zones.

Also as a volunteer firery over here it makes you feel so helpless. Just want to get over there and help.

Everyone take care.

iceman (Mike) · #44 09-02-2009, 12:13 AM

I've deleted a few posts which were started by one that was completely uncalled for in the context of this thread.

This is not the time, nor the thread, for any sort of comments like that.

Hagar (Doug) · #45 09-02-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I've deleted a few posts which were started by one that was completely uncalled for in the context of this thread.

This is not the time, nor the thread, for any sort of comments like that.

Thanks Mike, I'm still breathing fire.

iceman (Mike) · #46 09-02-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Thanks Mike, I'm still breathing fire.

heh it's a total fire ban don't you know?

Let's all just chill

On topic, I saw the latest update in the 10:30pm news after Rove. My wife and I just stared in disbelief at the TV.

I hope all our IIS members, friends and guests are safe and well in these affected country towns.

byronpaul (Paul) · #47 09-02-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I hope all our IIS members, friends and guests are safe and well in these affected country towns.

My thoughts exacting. I know of people who have lost property, stock and family pets. Fortunately they themselves are all ok.

erick (Eric) · #48 09-02-2009, 02:13 AM

As I head for bed, the latest report is 96 lives lost. So sad.

I can advise that Bacchus Marsh is fine, as is everywhere between Lorne and Bacchus Marsh where I have just spent the weekend, but spending most of Sunday in disbelief at the news that was coming through. Lorne understands the pain, having lost 76 homes in the 1983 fire.

badchap · #49 09-02-2009, 02:24 AM

So are all the regular forumites from ISS accounted for ?
Good to read safe reports from those that are in or near the danger areas.

Plenty of heartbreaking stories yet to come out of this.

Carmel

Alchemy (Clive) · #50 09-02-2009, 06:07 AM

im glad to see no reports so far of any IIS members harmed,

im short of words to describe what i saw on the TV total destruction, people trying to escape and clumps of cars caught on the open road, i think "a day of devastation" covers it somewhat.

you always think " it will never happen to me "..... sadly the death toll continues to rise.

clive

gbeal · #51 09-02-2009, 07:17 AM

What can a Kiwi say? The devastating news is hard to imagine, and yes, our hearts go out to those affected.
A continent of contrasts, with raging fire infernos in one state, and flooding in another?
Gary

rastis95 (Scott) · #52 09-02-2009, 07:58 AM

Devastation is right, every time I look at the news the toll keeps rising, Also spare a thought for the thousands of rural fire fighters on the ground, as a local ses volunteer we regularly support these amazing men and women and i can't sing there praises enough. Hope every one is safe

Scott

glenc (Glen) · #53 09-02-2009, 08:14 AM

Here are some satellite images of the Vic fires.
http://www.universetoday.com/2009/02...ian-bushfires/
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/s...09039&altdates
A terrible tragedy.

Kal (Andrew) · #54 09-02-2009, 08:25 AM

A devastating tragedy, with the death toll now at 108.

I can imagine I would want to try to defend my house if I was a home owner - I would be prepared, take all precautions, do all the things that they say you shuold do if you want to stay and defend. But then I hear about the reports from the survivors of how it was like a fire storm that raced through like a freight train, with comments like "you just can't fight that". Very sad indeed

PeterM · #55 09-02-2009, 09:31 AM

Very, very sad news that just seems to get worse everytime we hear more news. What can you say? My families thoughts and best wishes to all affected in anyway at this terrible time.
Peterm

wavelandscott (Scott) · #56 09-02-2009, 09:58 AM

As has already been posted by others...the thoughts and prayers of me and my family go to all those impacted by the heat, fire and floods...

The pictures I am sure do not do justice to the scope and scale of the situation...

JohnG (John) · #57 09-02-2009, 10:06 AM

As a retired professional Emergency Services worker who was heavily involved in the devastating 1994 Sydney fires, my heart goes out to all involved, such loss of life.

Cheers

NCRAW · #58 09-02-2009, 11:03 AM

Some of the most beautiful landscapes in Victoria!!

Hope everyone here and their families and neighbours made it out safely and deepest sympethies to all affected. Property can be easily replaced, as long as human life is safe.

Quark (Trevor) · #59 09-02-2009, 11:15 AM

Just how far reaching is all of these horrendous events, but terrible as it is it seems just so far removed from the reality that most of the rest of us experience.

Last night I was preparing to image the transit of Titan but then we got the news that one of my wifes uncles, who lives in the fire affected region of Victoria was missing and there are grave fears for him.

Titan somehow became pretty unimportant and I packed up and probably like much of the population just felt stunned. The reality of what is happening is going to take a while to sink in for most. This will surely go down in the annals of Australian history as our greatest natural disaster ever.

Regards
Trevor

NCRAW · #60 09-02-2009, 11:47 AM

Hope u will have good news soon.

The more i hear about this, the more im amazed by the courage of those involved especially the volunteer fire fighters who do it just out a sense of responibility and caring for complete strangers.