Storms and more storms!

Cyclone Yasi caused devastation in areas of Queensland. Houses gone, crops totally lost, but so far only 1 death known.
At the same time, Swan Hill in Victoria was waiting on floods to hit their town. A huge river 40kms wide and 90kms long was slowly heading towards the town. Because of Yasi, I haven’t heard anything else about Swan Hill, whether the flood hit them or not.
On Thursday we were heading back home when a huge storm caught us just a few minutes from home. We couldn’t see out of the windscreen as the rain was so heavy and being on a wide bend on a narrow road, we couldn’t stop as visibility was about zero and we couldn’t see if it was safe to stop and park. So we kept driving slowly, with the wind battering branches against the car. It was dreadful to drive but unsafe to stop. I was SO glad to get home. Branches were down on the narrow bridge across the Murray River, but we managed to squeeze past them.
Thankfully when we got home there was no damage to our house. The house behind us has a huge gum tree and I was sure the wind would have brought it down, but it was still standing. A few sheds were lifted up and ended in neighbours’ yards. Everywhere was was flooded.

This is the front yard after Thursday’s rain but before Friday’s downpour.

Friday was more of the same but with thunder and lightning. The rain was so heavy we couldn’t see the house next door. The gutters around the roof couldn’t take the downpour and water was falling from the roof like a waterfall onto the patio and verandah. At least the concrete got a good wash.lol The lightning and thunder went on for ages and the rain poured all night. The storm also hit Victoria with extensive floods. I can’t believe how heavy the rain was. And more of the same is expected tonight, Saturday, especially in my area.
Meanwhile, Sydney is in the 6th day of extremely high temps and the rest of NSW has fire restrictions. If only they could take some of our rain!
Our holiday overseas has been changed because of the eruptions in Egypt. We may end up going to South Africa instead. Not too sure at the moment as we all wanted to see the Pyramids and sail down the Nile. We have 2 weeks to make up our minds, as Melissa will be overseas by then and has to finish our bookings before she leaves. Evan is so disappointed that Egypt may be out, but no other option if the fighting continues.

Bye…….