The next disaster
Preparing for ...22 total reviews
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You expressed the feelings well with great facts to support
everything mentioned, Wendy. I believe volunteers in time
of emergencies fill an important role. Their services are
greatly needed and appreciated. They, like you, have their
own families and issues, but give of themselves to help others.
It is sad so many deaths of people and wildlife and destruction
is left behind.
Thank you for sharing and for your support in time of need, Jan
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
  |
You expressed the feelings well with great facts to support
everything mentioned, Wendy. I believe volunteers in time
of emergencies fill an important role. Their services are
greatly needed and appreciated. They, like you, have their
own families and issues, but give of themselves to help others.
It is sad so many deaths of people and wildlife and destruction
is left behind.
Thank you for sharing and for your support in time of need, Jan
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
-
Thank you Jan. I appreciate your kind and encouraging words. Feeling quite exhausted after today's shift at the Evac Centre, and fairly difficult drive home. I think the road will be impassible tomorrow.
Wendy
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
First of all, I commend you on the volunteer work that you do. It would be so easy for you to stay on top of your hill and wait it out, but you choose to help instead.
Unfortunately, these stories are happening all over the globe. As we enter wildfire season in the western part of the U.S., I worry about my daughter in Colorado. She has told us that they are very dry - many of the cities in Colorado that usually have fireworks on the Fourth of July have chosen not to for fear of fires. Yet, many deny that our abuse of the planet has anything to do with this.
Your stories are always interesting and varied, and the technical writing is always perfect. Thank you for sharing, and good luck as you and others cope with what is coming. You are in our prayers.
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
 |
First of all, I commend you on the volunteer work that you do. It would be so easy for you to stay on top of your hill and wait it out, but you choose to help instead.
Unfortunately, these stories are happening all over the globe. As we enter wildfire season in the western part of the U.S., I worry about my daughter in Colorado. She has told us that they are very dry - many of the cities in Colorado that usually have fireworks on the Fourth of July have chosen not to for fear of fires. Yet, many deny that our abuse of the planet has anything to do with this.
Your stories are always interesting and varied, and the technical writing is always perfect. Thank you for sharing, and good luck as you and others cope with what is coming. You are in our prayers.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2022
-
Thank you Pam. I saw the six stars shining, despite my weariness, and I thank you so much. What an encouragement! (I've just got home after a long shift at the Evac Centre, and a difficult drive back. Another couple of hours and the roads there will be cut off.) I'll give an update soon.
Wendy
Comment from Pantygynt
I have heard it said that Australia is the best country in the world to grow up in. Judging by this article it doesn't seem to lack excitement. It sounds like a place of extremes.
I enjoyed reading this well-written article.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
I have heard it said that Australia is the best country in the world to grow up in. Judging by this article it doesn't seem to lack excitement. It sounds like a place of extremes.
I enjoyed reading this well-written article.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Yes, definitely a place of extremes. But I would never live anywhere else. We are a resilient bunch. Thank you so much for the review.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
I am sending a prayer. What you have endured over the last few years is unbelievable. God has got to spend a little more time in the land down under.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
I am sending a prayer. What you have endured over the last few years is unbelievable. God has got to spend a little more time in the land down under.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Thank you. For your review and for praying. He's teaching us to be resilient and to look after each other, I think!
Wendy
Comment from Tom Horonzy
I find it amazing, the fires and droughts, floods and monsoon rains, and yet people go about never planning save for a few, expecting over burden government to rescue them. Ugh. Have they thought to pray? Maybe, it's His way of saying turn to me win your fears as it seems you have forgotten I am the Great I am and here 24/7.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
I find it amazing, the fires and droughts, floods and monsoon rains, and yet people go about never planning save for a few, expecting over burden government to rescue them. Ugh. Have they thought to pray? Maybe, it's His way of saying turn to me win your fears as it seems you have forgotten I am the Great I am and here 24/7.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Thanks Tom. Many are praying. Australia has always been a land of great extremes. These floods were prepared for, but far exceeded expectations. And we've had so much rain that the dams were full to the brim already. Building in areas near rivers should never have been permitted. Most people are genuine hard workers but they can't survive all these disasters one on top of the other.
Thanks for reviewing.
Wendy
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is an interesting peek into the appalling and inhabitual weather conditions that you continue to suffer in Australia. However, (maybe I'm being picky this morning, if so sorry) I think you might have written it a bit quickly. It comes across as a bit banal, and I believe you could improve it by better word usage, such as:
direct repetitions (e.g. support), alter for synonyms
weak words (e.g. change), go for power. This is after all an extreme situation you are describing.
Good luck with revision, Kate xx
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
This is an interesting peek into the appalling and inhabitual weather conditions that you continue to suffer in Australia. However, (maybe I'm being picky this morning, if so sorry) I think you might have written it a bit quickly. It comes across as a bit banal, and I believe you could improve it by better word usage, such as:
direct repetitions (e.g. support), alter for synonyms
weak words (e.g. change), go for power. This is after all an extreme situation you are describing.
Good luck with revision, Kate xx
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Thank you for reviewing, Kate. It is basically a factual piece and I wasn't going for drama or power. But I have done a quick revision to improve it, in the midst of preparing for my shift starting very early tomorrow. I don't like repeating words, so I have changed those as well. I appreciate your thoughtful careful reading, and the suggestions.
Wendy
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Wendy,
Yes, once again Hewy is sending down his wrath upon already soaked grounds. Disaster after disaster. It's people such as you that make transitional times such as this, half bearable, and I thank you so much for your and all the other brave volunteers who give of their time and effort... even when their house or family may be involved in the very same thing being fought against.
As I live on the biggest river on the East Coast, and in among the mighty rivers of the Northern Rivers, I know only too well what this type of soaking rain has and still is causing.
The fishing village I live in has one road in and one road out... and since the new highway has been constructed it only takes a heavy downpour and we are cut off from leaving town.
I hope you all get through this weather event relatively unscathed. As you say, we are a resilient lot and will always bounce back, maybe not quite the same, but still bounce.
I travelled to Lismore at least six times in the last two weeks, and it is still a construction site. It's so very sad to see the people still living in tents, rv's caravans etc along the way. Yes, some places, people in towns and cities are going to take a long time to recover, if at all.
Stay safe Wendy, sending down some sunshine!
Typo? Many small country towns were simply rased... razed- erased.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful essay... I say wonderful in the writing of it, not the circumstance of cause.
You'd think with all the rates and monies going into the state coffers we would all have better infrastructure and services. I don't want to even go into the debacle that was a very poor response to saving people, animal's and lively hoods in the floods up here. If it wasn't for the normal Joe who owned a boat, more lives would have been lost... the SES, the state and federal governments failed miserably.
Thank God for volunteers!
With our thoughts we create...
safe practice.
Kind regards,
James.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
Hi Wendy,
Yes, once again Hewy is sending down his wrath upon already soaked grounds. Disaster after disaster. It's people such as you that make transitional times such as this, half bearable, and I thank you so much for your and all the other brave volunteers who give of their time and effort... even when their house or family may be involved in the very same thing being fought against.
As I live on the biggest river on the East Coast, and in among the mighty rivers of the Northern Rivers, I know only too well what this type of soaking rain has and still is causing.
The fishing village I live in has one road in and one road out... and since the new highway has been constructed it only takes a heavy downpour and we are cut off from leaving town.
I hope you all get through this weather event relatively unscathed. As you say, we are a resilient lot and will always bounce back, maybe not quite the same, but still bounce.
I travelled to Lismore at least six times in the last two weeks, and it is still a construction site. It's so very sad to see the people still living in tents, rv's caravans etc along the way. Yes, some places, people in towns and cities are going to take a long time to recover, if at all.
Stay safe Wendy, sending down some sunshine!
Typo? Many small country towns were simply rased... razed- erased.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful essay... I say wonderful in the writing of it, not the circumstance of cause.
You'd think with all the rates and monies going into the state coffers we would all have better infrastructure and services. I don't want to even go into the debacle that was a very poor response to saving people, animal's and lively hoods in the floods up here. If it wasn't for the normal Joe who owned a boat, more lives would have been lost... the SES, the state and federal governments failed miserably.
Thank God for volunteers!
With our thoughts we create...
safe practice.
Kind regards,
James.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Your area has suffered most, and I feel for all the ones who have not yet got over the last disastrous floods, having to face it all again. Children are traumatised, understandably. I am heading to the Evac Centre about half an hour from us tomorrow, if I can still get through for an 8-9 hour shift. Thanks so much for reviewing. Its's greatly appreciated. Thanks too for noticing the typo.
Wendy
-
My pleasure Wendy... and be safe, my thoughts are with you and everyone who are once again going through this weather event. I pray it doesn't get to the dangerous levels.
Comment from royowen
A land of droughts and flooding rains. That's what stands out these days, but in my living memory, they didn't usually come together a short time from one another, even emergency services are hamstrung. Good on you for helping, you need prayers and lots of them. Well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
A land of droughts and flooding rains. That's what stands out these days, but in my living memory, they didn't usually come together a short time from one another, even emergency services are hamstrung. Good on you for helping, you need prayers and lots of them. Well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Thank you Roy, for reviewing. Yes, not in my living memory have we had so many natural disasters so close together. And also having the hottest summer ever, and this year the wettest summer ever .... Climate change is definitely with us, and I am surprised at those who continue to deny it.
Wendy
-
Incredible
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
How awful these natural disasters are and I would hate to be flooded or subjected to a bush fire. I think we have to choose our homes well before we buy! I admire you for being part of the 'help squad" Wendy, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
How awful these natural disasters are and I would hate to be flooded or subjected to a bush fire. I think we have to choose our homes well before we buy! I admire you for being part of the 'help squad" Wendy, love Dolly x
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Thank you Dolly. I greatly appreciate your review. (Yes, when we moved here, we considered everything. It had to be set high, away from danger of flooding, near parks and national parks but safe from fire, have several access roads, and we also chose to be within a few kilometres of a hospital (but not close enough to hear ambulances!) and shopping centres. That has hopefully covered everything!!
Wendy
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Oh, my. I'm glad your house is on a hill and not endangered by the flooding. Three times this year! Wow! I sincerely hope that everyone remains safe!!!!!!!!!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
|
Oh, my. I'm glad your house is on a hill and not endangered by the flooding. Three times this year! Wow! I sincerely hope that everyone remains safe!!!!!!!!!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2022
-
Thank you very much. Yes, we've had extraordinary rainfall this year. The ground is still saturated so rain can't soak in or away. So different from the droughts we had grown accustomed to. I appreciate your kind words.
Wendy
