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hnpccA friend of mine in the Army Reserve has just been contacted and given a heads up that they're likely to be deploying tomorrow.
A guy at work's brother is in the CFA - he's spent most of the day digging up bodies.
Another guy at work has professional links with the forensics mob - who are flat out and likely to remain so. All the people killed in the fires are regarded as homicides apparently. If they catch anyone for arson the book is likely to be very heavy.
There are 31 active fires still going according to the four o'clock news. So four fewer than 5.30am.
Still waiting on news of friends of Dean's parents, who live in Haven, one of the affected areas. I'm not sure if anyone's gotten in there yet. Everything's been quiet news-wise on the Horsham front. I'm not sure if that's a good sign, or if the horror that is Kinglake and surrounds has just overwhelmed all else.
Oh God, Strathewen.
I was listening when the announcers on ABC radio said "we've just had a text message after the last warning asking if Strathewen is affected - um, where is Strathewen?"
About two minutes later they'd had 20 odd text messages explaining where it is, and were confirming that the previous warning also applied. That must have been one of the early Kinglake warnings as well, I can't remember. I just remember thinking "shit, isn't that the one in the hills?" and going to look it up in the Melways so I could text them if necessary. Other, better geographically informed people got in quicker.
I think it was either just before or just after I phoned Dean.
I'm still stunned by the reports that half the burns victims in the hospital here are from Whittlesea. I've no idea where in Whittlesea they're from, or whether by Whittlesea they mean the town or the shire. I must get Dean to phone his parents tonight for more information.
Speaking of more information:
Link to useful information about donating/helping.
A guy at work's brother is in the CFA - he's spent most of the day digging up bodies.
Another guy at work has professional links with the forensics mob - who are flat out and likely to remain so. All the people killed in the fires are regarded as homicides apparently. If they catch anyone for arson the book is likely to be very heavy.
There are 31 active fires still going according to the four o'clock news. So four fewer than 5.30am.
Still waiting on news of friends of Dean's parents, who live in Haven, one of the affected areas. I'm not sure if anyone's gotten in there yet. Everything's been quiet news-wise on the Horsham front. I'm not sure if that's a good sign, or if the horror that is Kinglake and surrounds has just overwhelmed all else.
Oh God, Strathewen.
I was listening when the announcers on ABC radio said "we've just had a text message after the last warning asking if Strathewen is affected - um, where is Strathewen?"
About two minutes later they'd had 20 odd text messages explaining where it is, and were confirming that the previous warning also applied. That must have been one of the early Kinglake warnings as well, I can't remember. I just remember thinking "shit, isn't that the one in the hills?" and going to look it up in the Melways so I could text them if necessary. Other, better geographically informed people got in quicker.
I think it was either just before or just after I phoned Dean.
I'm still stunned by the reports that half the burns victims in the hospital here are from Whittlesea. I've no idea where in Whittlesea they're from, or whether by Whittlesea they mean the town or the shire. I must get Dean to phone his parents tonight for more information.
Speaking of more information:
Link to useful information about donating/helping.
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no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 07:38 am (UTC)50 bucks to the Australian Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm). Visa. It's everywhere you want to be.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-09 10:24 pm (UTC)