Cyclone Yasi

eye30 · **February 02, 2011, 18:24:21**

Any members caught up in the cyclone?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12342031

I know its been mentioned on What's your weather thread but felt it deserves one on it's own.

Dazzler · **Reply #1: February 02, 2011, 19:24:40**

Hopefully no loss of life reported so far..

Certainly looking at the Morning show/ news live now they are reporting that the larger centres Cairns, Townsville and Innisvale have not suffered as much damage as expected...

I've still got my fingers and toes crossed though..

Keith · **Reply #2: February 02, 2011, 22:13:40**

Weather hasnt been great for our Auzzie brothers has it... hunker down guys, things can only get better.

Surferdude · **Reply #3: February 02, 2011, 22:41:27**

In Australia, our vehicle number plates have a prefix showing which state they are from and normally have a slogan as well.
eg Victoria The Place to Be
NSW The Premier State
Qld The Sunshine State

It's been suggested we change to Qld The Disaster State.

Dazzler · **Reply #4: February 03, 2011, 10:39:40**

Apparently the Queensland government don't insure against infrastructure damage by natual disaster whereas some other States do... Victoria does (not sure about Tassie though?)

2i30s · **Reply #5: February 03, 2011, 11:09:56**

i think it sucks how we pay taxes all of our lives to the government,then when there is a natural disaster that same government doesn't have a disaster fund in place to cover the damage. i bet they have a war chest,poor taxpayers cop it again. there wouldn't be many Aussies that didn't make a donation to the floods.

Shambles · **Reply #6: February 03, 2011, 11:14:50**

Isn't Gillard going to raise a one-off tax to fund clearing this mess (and the flooding) up?

I read that threat somewhere recently

2i30s · **Reply #7: February 03, 2011, 11:19:14**

we all get to pay extra tax to cover the 15 billion dollars damage the floods caused ,and now the cyclone.

Surferdude · **Reply #8: February 03, 2011, 20:28:41**

Quote from: Dazzler on February 03, 2011, 10:39:40

Apparently the Queensland government don't insure against infrastructure damage by natual disaster whereas some other States do... Victoria does (not sure about Tassie though?)

That's interesting Daz. I didn't know any States did that. I thought the premiums were too high.
Certainly in Queensland's case I saw some figures a few years ago where they quoted what it would cost just to insure our schools and the premium was higher than they spent on repairs.
So maybe they've done the same thing with all infrastructure.

Kimba · **Reply #9: February 03, 2011, 22:25:01**

hey guys - it's been awhile since I've been on. Townsville is a mess, can't imagine how bad it is further north. My partner has been sent up to Tully with the army to help. We have water but no power as yet. Posting this from work. Have a good day guys.

Kimba

Edit: car is fine, thank god.

**Reply #10: February 03, 2011, 23:29:17**

Good luck to you and to all people that are affected by floods and/or cyclone.

Regards,

carib

Surferdude · **Reply #11: February 04, 2011, 00:20:59**

Thanks for the update Kimba.
I used to go to Tully a fair bit. Lovely place and stayed at Mission Beach on more than one occasion.

Dazzler · **Reply #12: February 04, 2011, 10:38:02**

Glad you are ok Kimba..

2i30s · **Reply #13: February 04, 2011, 10:53:25**

babis_xo · **Reply #14: February 04, 2011, 11:22:08**

Good to hear from you Kimba. So, things are still working there...

rustynutz · **Reply #15: February 04, 2011, 12:17:04**

Cheers Kimba!

eye30 · **Reply #16: February 04, 2011, 17:09:28**

Great to hear from you.

Must be a mess in and around the area especially coming after the rains you have had for the last few months.

2i30s · **Reply #17: February 04, 2011, 23:50:50**

the flooding rain I'm getting is from cyclone Anthony a week ago,and then I'm supposed to get more rain in a weeks time from cyclone Yasi.

snowcherry · **Reply #18: February 05, 2011, 00:34:26**

Quote from: Kimba on February 03, 2011, 22:25:01

hey guys - it's been awhile since I've been on. Townsville is a mess, can't imagine how bad it is further north. My partner has been sent up to Tully with the army to help. We have water but no power as yet. Posting this from work. Have a good day guys.

Kimba

Edit: car is fine, thank god.

ahh i'd been worried about you, really glad you're ok

Quote from: 2i30s on February 03, 2011, 11:19:14

we all get to pay extra tax to cover the 15 billion dollars damage the floods caused ,and now the cyclone.

not 'all'. its means tested, only for one year and works out to be a couple bucks a week from about $50000 plus.
calculator here
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/27/3123125.htm

if you don't like the levy you can instead give a donation directly to the liberal party "to help our campaign against Labor's flood tax" in their own words ???

Dazzler · **Reply #19: February 05, 2011, 04:08:44**

Hi SC so you are obviously OK too ...

Maybe we should start a thread on here... Who is NOT effected by some catastrophic even or protest

2i30s · **Reply #20: February 05, 2011, 06:12:31**

I'm so glad you guys,sorry i mean girls are safe. people cant be replaced by insurance.

and for the record,i don't mind having to pay the extra tax for the flood damage to help it be rebuilt.

but still don't understand how our government doesn't have some form of disaster fund to help cover this sort of short fall.

we give millions of dollars to other countries when similar disasters happen,but very little to our own resident Australians.

every single time I've passed someone rattling a can for flood relief I've put my hand in my pocket and donated. :goodjob:any body needing disaster assistance should be exempt from having to pay for that particular disaster,or better still not have to pay any tax for a few years. IMHO.

sorry about my rant.

eye30 · **Reply #21: February 05, 2011, 16:39:59**

Just heard from my cousin who lives in mid Queensland and all is OK.

Just a bit battered and wet

snowcherry · **Reply #22: February 06, 2011, 07:19:27**

Quote from: Dazzler on February 05, 2011, 04:08:44

Hi SC so you are obviously OK too ...

Maybe we should start a thread on here... Who is NOT effected by some catastrophic even or protest

yes thank you

i did mention in weather thread but may have missed it. but i have escaped both the floods and the cyclone.

a friend of mine was concerned i would be caught up in the cyclone and now she just got caught up in the victorian floods (minorly thankfully - she's safe and dry at least). it's such a weird time right now. :-\

Kimba · **Reply #23: February 07, 2011, 03:05:08**

Quote from: 2i30s on February 05, 2011, 06:12:31

but still don't understand how our government doesn't have some form of disaster fund to help cover this sort of short fall. we give millions of dollars to other countries when similar disasters happen,but very little to our own resident Australians.

I could not agree more with you! I don't have any issues with giving money to countries that are less prosperious than us but to give such a small portion of money to Australians who have lost so much - well it sort of feels like they have been cheated.

Today is good guys, the majority of Townsville now has electricity and running water (thank god) I'm in a bit higher spirits than I was the other day. It was horrible to see this city be rippd apart like it was. Townsville generally has a lot of old beautiful trees lining the roads and to see the city after Wednesday night was just such a shock. I was surprised to see that such big strong trees could be ripped out of the ground and blown away like they were nothing more than a feather.

My boyfriend is now in Tully (after being stuck in Ingham in floodwaters) and they are starting to help the residents try to get their lives sorted.

I have to say that I am impressed with Ergon Energy because they have worked tirelessly over the last couple of days and they have done so well with putting the electricity back on and trying to make everything safe again.

So yes back to work today, thanks for all the messages and dealing with my depressing message. Glad that snow cherry is all good and that everyone who is affected by the floods down south pulls through with their lives and that their personal belongings aren't too damaged.

Kimba :-)

eye30 · **Reply #24: February 07, 2011, 16:54:32**

Quote from: Kimba on February 07, 2011, 03:05:08

the majority of Townsville now has electricity and running water (thank god)

and internet access

Great to hear your spirits have lifted.

Much damage to your property?

snowcherry · **Reply #25: February 10, 2011, 03:09:28**

Quote from: Kimba on February 07, 2011, 03:05:08

So yes back to work today, thanks for all the messages and dealing with my depressing message. Glad that snow cherry is all good and that everyone who is affected by the floods down south pulls through with their lives and that their personal belongings aren't too damaged.

Kimba :-)

sad to hear about the trees.
will take awhile unfortunately to get things 'back to normal' - hope you're travelling well

rustynutz · **Reply #26: February 10, 2011, 03:43:00**

Quote from: Kimba on February 07, 2011, 03:05:08

I have to say that I am impressed with Ergon Energy because they have worked tirelessly over the last couple of days and they have done so well with putting the electricity back on and trying to make everything safe again.

Ergon are only thinking of themselves....while the power is off they aren't making any money....

The denials have already started re power surges and blown electrical equipment......
My friend lost her microwave, a brand new fridge and her computer yet Ergon are saying there were no surges.