Please pray for Australia
 

Bush fires in Australia are the worst seen in 20 years.

This morning I woke to the news that 25 people have died, with the death toll expected to rise. Hundreds have lost their homes and most affected have lost everything they own.

3 states now have devastating fires, and with ultra high temperatures predicted to soar over 115F, today is expected to be just as bad.

I'm OK where I live, but I'm not sure about our other Australian members.

If you see this fellow Aussies, please check in so we know that you're safe.

Sending my prayers.

:smileypray:

Anne . Didn't know until I read your post. Glad you're OK, my thoughts with others.

http://cbs11tv.com/national/Australi....2.929411.html

Here is a news story and video

:(

Fires like this can be devastating. I am so sorry.

I heard from my friend Jenny and she's doing ok!

I hope everyone else is ok.

Oh I hope they end soon. I'll keep Australia in my prayers and you too Ann. :hug:

Thank you everyone.

We just heard that 2 of the larger bush fires have now joined up making one gigantic fire. It's so scary!

We spoke to one of hubby's sister's this morning, and they have their car packed ready for a quick get away should the need arise. They live in Victoria where the fires are the worst, and although they are safe for now, the fires are heading in their general direction.

We've not been able to contact the other sister yet, and although we know that her own house will be safe, her 2 daughters have homes in the fire zone. It's just a case of waiting until we hear more.

Ironic isn't it? Flood emergency up north in my state, and these shocking fires in the south. Typical. :(

I hope Brian from PN forum is OK and Jaime is OK and others who post from Victoria.

They just said on news that a little rain is falling in a few places but they're not expecting too much relief. Worst thing that has me in tears is that they're only just getting into some of the areas now and the death toll is expected to rise and a lot of these people were fleeing in cars... whole families with children. I've never lived in a temperate climate. Always lived in the tropics and now sub-tropical where our main rainfall is in the summer. I don't think I could bear the high temps in a dry climate like down south of me.

almost out of internet time here. Typing this in "work offline" mode so I can post ... just had to say that everyone down there is in my thoughts and in my heart.

Oh my gosh, that's awful, Anne! Hope they can get the fires under control soon. How terrible for the many people and wildlife also. Sure hope your DH's family is safe. Keep us posted.

Keeping our Aussie friends in my prayers.

Glad your'e safe Anne and Lara!

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Thanks DM. I agree it's just frightful. :icon_frown:

The death toll has now risen to 35 confirmed deaths and still rising. In some instances it's been whole families killed as they've tried to escape the fires.

Loss of life is awful in any situation but as we hear on the news of more and more children killed, well, it just breaks my heart.

Anne,
 

Many prayers coming your way. You are in my thoughts daily. :hug:

Fires in my area
 

Yes, fires have devastated many parts of Victoria, and a large part of Bendigo was destroyed too!
I was lucky, but it came so close, I could see it!
Then when the wind changed it moved away from my home, but we lost more than 50 homes in the Bendigo area, and we don't know how many lives were lost yet. But it will be a big cost, that's for sure!
It was a very scary night, and I didn't get much sleep!
:eek:
~Jaime~

Thank you for checking in Jaime. We were worried about you. :hug:

I have a friend at Coleraine who I can't contact. I just have to hope he's safe.

I am so glad you three are ok and hope our other Aussie friends are safe too:grouphug:

we have been getting news coverage here and it appears so very serious.

prayers for low winds and that firefighters would win the battles

Please..... we need your prayers!

I can't stop crying. 65 people have now lost their lives, and those numbers continue to rise.

Over 600 homes have been lost and the fires are not easing.

Please pray for us!

I sat and sobbed as I watched the news, all the way over here in Western Australia. Its just so very sad and tragic. My prayers for people still struggling with fires, and to those who have lost loved ones.

Here in the west, we are expecting very high temps later in the week. I hope and pray we have a very quiet, fire free week.

Please pray for the fire fighters, as there are so many fires in NSW and Victoria, most of the fire fighters arn't getting a break, because they just can't leave the fires.

Thank you for checking in Red Tail.

I can't stop crying either. It's just awful.

All those families dead. Many, many children dead. Whole towns gone. Hundreds of homes lost.

To think that so many of these fires were deliberately lit! I'm distraught!

Yep I can't stop crying, I really can't understand how someone would want to start these fires that take so many lives.

I'm also thinking about all the animals that may be suffering. I think there will be many more tears to come.

Me too redtail!

I heard on TV that the firemen had just got the Gippsland fires under control, when an arsonist went and lit new ones!

I just can't understand the mentality of these people.

So many lives lost...... and we don't even have any idea yet on the numbers of native animals killed in the fires.

Such a terrible loss of life.

I hope and pray that WA doesn't experience fires as well, as your temperatures begin to soar.

Most of the fires are in Victoria in the South, and in New South Wales which is in the middle. Sydney is in the state of NSW Tamiloo.

There are some fires on the east coast, but the worst of them are inland.

Whole towns have been burnt out, and whole families have lost their lives. I'm just so upset, that it's hard to write about it. Our TV stations keep crossing to updates, and with every update, there's more bad news.

I just don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight.

I can't believe the death toll has risen to 65, and they havn't even done a thorough search yet, my heart goes out to all affected.

I know! It's like something out of a bad movie.

Officials say they've not had a chance to check out the burnt out houses in many areas yet, and on TV they just said that when they check those houses, the death toll of 65 will probably be double, if not more.

And the fire keeps on raging............

Please can everyone pray for the people in hospital suffering from burns. There are quite a few of them, and the Premier of Victoria was bought to tears when he was talking about them on the news.............................................. ........

You are all in our prayer...for comfort as well...love you guys!!! Keep us posted...
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Thoughts also for people in Queensland, where in Ingham the floodwaters have reached 12metres!!!! If only we could bring some of that rain down south.

Queensland is lovely Tamiloo, hot but lovely.

Lara lives in QLD, and so far they're free from the bushfires.

The north of the state however, got hit by a category one cyclone (hurricane) last week, and many parts of the state are under water from severe flooding caused by the rains. As Redtail mentioned, one town is under 12 meters of water, and that's nearly 40 feet of water!

People have been stranded in their homes for over a week, and can't get out unless they have a boat. Many homes are without food now, without power, and without sewage.

From floods in the north to fires in the south.


84 lives lost in the fires now. 700 homes gone. Whole towns destroyed.
When will it end?

How horrible! Count on my prayers folks. I hope they catch the nut who's setting those fires quick. That is one sick person.

Bad enough what nature is doing, you don't need some psycho running loose.

count the moisses in...

it is so heartbreaking seeing some of the folks talking about losing their homes on the news and seeing the death toll keeping on rising...:(

where is Noah when you need him? :mad:

Thank you everyone.

Noah's in the north of our country Moi. Queensland at the top, has been hit by a cyclone, and is a disaster area from severe flooding.

In the south, the death toll from Australia's worst bushfires in history, now stands at 107 and rising. Whole families have been wiped out.... many of them found huddled together in the burnt out ruins of their homes. Other families died in their cars as they tried to flee the fires. Many are still missing.

78 people have been admitted to hospitals throughout the state with burns (some life threatening), and hundreds of others are being treated at emergency departments, with less serious injuries.

At least 750 homes have been destroyed and more than 330,000ha burnt out, and authorities said some fires could take weeks to contain.

Those still in the path of the fires, the survivors and the emergency service workers continue to need your prayers.



So far one man, and a 15 year old lad have been arrested for deliberately lighting some of these fires. I hope they get charged with mass murder!

...... :Sob: ......

Jaime,
 

So thankful you are safe. And so sorry you are having this experience. You are also in my prayers.

So many of the fires are still burning and out of control. Bendigo's fires are under control now, and now we are counting the cost. But fires are still burning in other areas, many small towns have been completely wiped out...that is so hard to comprehend...

Wowsers!
 

I too am concerned...and will send positive thoughts to
all who need them.

It is just horrific what is happening there!

Stay SAFE!