FLOODS IN BRISBANE

Jude and I looked at all the water. It was brown; the rain made it look like it was growing frightened goose bumps.

He squinted at something. “The world’s not going to end, you fuckin’ idiot.”

“I saw this picture in the newspaper of a pub hotel place that was flooded all up to the window. They put up a sign that said, ‘Cold beer, great river views.’”

“I wonder how Vail's doing. Eric said Westlake's completely flooded.”

“If the world was going to end,” I said, “I wonder what colour the sky'd be.”

“It’d be like shit-green, mate.”

I ignored him. I thought about what I’d pack in my bag just in case the flood reached my place. I’d probably pack my birth certificate and shoes.

“Are you drunk yet?” Jude asked me.

“Nearly.”

There was a family over in the distance taking photos of the whole scene. A little boy waved at us. “If my whole family were to drown,” Jude said, “I hope only my sister survives.”

“Why the hell’s that?”

He shrugged.

I received a lot of text messages. Some people joked about it, some people were afraid. I looked at a new text message; it was a fearful one. “We better get out of here.”

Jude and I stood up and headed for his car.

---

Links to help with the situation or find out more:

Donate to the Queensland Government's flood relief appeal.

Brisbane City Council website.

Video of South Bank under water.

Facebook page with flood photos.

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Comments

8 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by SidneyFrank

January 12th 2011 12:09

Hope everything goes well. I've been reading this blog for years but never left a comment haha. Stay safe.
-Sid

Comment by Lily

January 12th 2011 12:10

Ars Poetica

Sometimes peoples reaction to tragedy is to laugh. It's usually to save face or to hide the helplessness or fear they feel. I hope you're dry and safe tonight Dean. You may remember Ash and Lilla from Orble, I've been in touch with them and they're ok. If you feel overwhelmed, try and talk to someone ok, lots of people prepared to help. I'm all ears, & you know where to find me.

~lily

Comment by Always Eighteen

January 12th 2011 12:24

Always Eighteen

Hi SidneyFrank,

It's a relief to know that I still have readers. I apologise for the lack of posts these past few months - I'm in the process of quitting my job to get back to proper writing.

Thanks for the message. I'm alive!

Comment by Always Eighteen

January 12th 2011 12:27

Always Eighteen

Heya Lily,

Yes I remember Ash and Lilla for sure. I didn't know Ash lived in Brisbane. Where are you from, by the way?

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be fine - it's all the other people that need our prayers.

Comment by Lily

January 12th 2011 12:34

Ars Poetica

I'm in Melbourne, apparently Vic and NSW are going to cop some big rain tomorrow, so the media says. We had a short pour down today, affected more inland though, so yeah, lets see what tomorrow brings.

Just wanted to check you were ok, prayers are definitely going up for all the flood affected people, how awful for them. I wouldn't be able to sleep at all tonight if I knew water was rising around my house.

Btw, I read all your posts too, i'm a subscriber. Great to hear you will be writing more. You're GREAT AT IT!

Comment by Always Eighteen

January 12th 2011 13:03

Always Eighteen

Hey Lily,

Hope the floods get lazy and stop and all that news about 4am is just nonsense and that nothing reaches Melbourne.

I'm extremely lucky to have you as a subscriber. Thanks for checking in; let's keep living for a little longer

. Time for me to shut down my laptop - no more power.