sunlit_music | How to help people devastated by the Queensland floods

Hello everyone,

Enormous floods have swept through South East Queensland, including Ipswich, Caboolture and Brisbane during 11-13 January 2011. At least 30 people have died, and the death toll is predicted to rise. At least 60 people are still missing. Here is what you can do to help:

waltzmatildah (fanfiction auctions) and owemebreakfast are fundraising, to help Australians recover from those floods.

You can donate to the Queensland flood replief appeal,register to volunteer and receive the latest news and updates here: http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html You can donate in person, over the phone, online, or internationally.

Find out about government support for families, individuals, small businesses, and local producers here: http://www.business.qld.gov.au/risk-management/flood-assistance.html

Learn about danger zones, road closures and re-openings here: http://highload.131940.qld.gov.au/

Search and rescue efforts continue in Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley searching for people who remain missing following the flash flooding on 10 January 2011. A hotline has been established for relatives and friends concerned about people affected by the flooding in these areas. The number is 1300 993 191.

This is heartbreaking and devastating. So many homes and livelihoods lost. People will have to rebuild everything from scratch, and most people don't even have flood insurance.

There is some good news among the bad, too. I remember listening to the radio and hearing Queenslanders saying things like," Oh, that person's worse off than me. My house was destroyed, but it's still here. Their house was swept away." You get to see ordinary people rising to the occasion. Triple M radio reported that Star Track Express is paying for the rebuilding of their employees' homes and footing their bills.The radio station Hope 103.2 mentions that many people were being stoic and brave, and just getting on with life. I'm worried about how the depression is going to hit people once they can return to their homes (once they return to see the damage). The important thing will be to keep busy, as that helps keep people's mind off things and feeling less powerless.

If there are any Queenslanders reading this, I want you to know that our hearts go out towards you. Stay strong and safe. You will make it through this.