My heart goes out to the people in Brisbane and the rest of Queensland who have lost everything and my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones. It is a disaster of gigantic proportions and like nothing I've ever seen before. I keep saying it's like something out of a movie and it really is. In many areas it looks like a ghost town and all you can hear is the buzz of helicopters overhead.
We've been out to deliver some food to the evacuation centre at the RNA and it was a sad scene but on the other hand wonderful to see so many people there giving their time and lending a hand. There's definitely going to be a lot of work to be done over the coming weeks and months.
At the moment, I know of a few things that you can do if you want to help out.
To make a donation click here. You can donate online with a credit card, via internet banking or ring the number listed to make a donation to the flood appeal over the phone.
Digella has details of where you can take baked goods to help sustain the volunteers.
You can register here to help with the clean up.
Donations of clothing, bedding, cleaning products etc are also being accepted but I'm not sure of the details at the moment.
Here are a few of the photos I took on our way home today.
This is just one of I would say hundred of pontoons ripped away and floating down the river.
This is the Breakfast Creek Wharf hours after the peak. It would have been a few meters above this at 4am today
This is an awful reminder to be safe when wading through flood waters. There were at least 10 syringes washed up here. Not a pleasant thought.
This is what the river looks like everywhere the water has reached. A mess of pontoons, rubbish and people's possessions.
This is one of hundred of boats torn from their moorings and pontoons that were washed down the river. This one was wedged into a pontoon that is still in place (one of the few).
This was the story at many supermarkets across Brisbane yesterday as everyone hurried to stock up on the essentials.
If you are in any position to help in any way please do. Queensland is going to need all the help they can get.
Celia says
Claire, thanks for taking these photos - it's been mindnumbing the devastation up north. And as heartbreaking as the stories of loss and destruction have been, the efforts made by ordinary Australians has been amazing...
Claire says
Celia we went out giving sandwiches to the people cleaning up today and the efforts are amazing. There are so many people out there helping complete strangers. It's wonderful to see such community spirit.
Suzanne says
I can't believe all the devastation you all have had. So nice that you are volunteering where you can. Back when Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, my husband and brothers went down to help with the clean up. Helping others in those times always makes us reflect on our own blessings and good fortune. Good luck in the near future and thanks for the nice comment on my blog.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Oh this is just awful Claire! Aren't you lovely helping out as you have been. And for those of us who aren't nearby donating is a great way to help out-every bit counts :)