OT: Heat records broken, Bushfires, Deaths in Victoria Australia

[AlanPerkins]

I thought you might like to know that Victoria, one of the most populous states in Australia has been having an unprecedented heatwave. Temperatures yesterday hit 48 degrees celsius (118+ in farenheit). 25 confirmed deaths with more expected Six people found dead in one car trying to escape. 100 homes destroyed so far and several townships gone. Melbourne (population 3 million+) hit 46.4C (115.5F). That is a new record for Melbourne.

There have been several days where it has topped 44, 45 recently in both Melbourne and Adelaide. And some places here are expected to hit 47.

[SeanHannifin]

:wow: Yikes. Hope all the Australia members of the forum stay safe.

[Haydn]

It sounds like summer weather here in Phoenix, Arizona. Hottest day since I've been here was 118F (48C) so I know what that feels like. We had a hot spell a few years ago where it hit 117F 4 days in a row.

Brushfires are a big problem here, so we know what you're going thru.

Jim

[AlanPerkins]

http://images.theage.com.au/2009/02/08/374143/620bushfire9-620x0.jpg

http://images.theage.com.au/ftage/ffximage/2009/02/08/majfireman_gallery__600x391.jpg

http://images.theage.com.au/ftage/ffximage/2009/02/08/bushfire__3__gallery__552x400.jpg

[Gregory Shaw]

Its been an horrendous couple of days.

Today is much cooler, but some of the fires whipped up yesterday are as big as 20,000 hectares, with the wind behind them, so its got some way to go yet.

Im glad my girlfriend is no longer covering general news for The Age, ( Melbourne newspaper)- they'd probably try to get her out there now.

[rob.manderson]

It sounds like summer weather here in Phoenix, Arizona. Hottest day since I've been here was 118F (48C) so I know what that feels like. We had a hot spell a few years ago where it hit 117F 4 days in a row.

Brushfires are a big problem here, so we know what you're going thru.

Jim

Heh Jim,
I'm from Melbourne and now living in Phoenix (six and a bit years now). I fancy the humidity in Melbourne yesterday was considerably higher than we get when it reaches 115 - and when we get the humidity the temperature drops. All in all, I'm glad I wasn't there yesterday (though I still can't get used to it being cold at Christmas time!). :)

[AlanPerkins]

Death toll now confirmed at 66 and certain to grow as they make their way through the wreckage.

More than 700 houses destroyed.
Whole townships gone.

There was one story of a firefighter who was battling a blaze and his wife and children were killed at home while his own home was destroyed around them.

Many terrible stories. Many heroic stories.

[AlanPerkins]

Death toll now 84

[RichR]

My heart and my blessings go out to you and all the folks in Victoria, Australia. Global warming is definitely rearing its ugly head. While you are roasting in the record breaking heatwave, we in the northern midwest, USA are experiencing a long snowfall that has had the ground covered since the beginning of December. Now I know that is not as dangerous as the fires and heatwave, but it does point out the extremes that are associated with global warming. I certainly hope the politicians and leaders of the world start to heed what is going on and take measures. We as people can try to help, but I afraid we cannot do it without the governments of the world united on this front.

[AlanPerkins]

Thanks Rich,

Death toll now 108 and fires near where my parents and sister live. Meanwhile my brother, in northern Queensland (tropics) is cut off in floods as a result of a small cyclone. Two people have died there trying to cross a swollen river.

[DPDAN]

Alan, I hope your sister and parents get out of there quickly,
and I hope you are in no danger.
How terribly sad :(

Dan

[Gregory Shaw]

Global warming is definitely rearing its ugly head. ...
Yes Rich, Australian meteorologists have been watching the effects of global warming on thermal currents in the Indian Ocean, which have been bringing super-hot dry air pockets across to the east coast of Australia, like what we had on Saturday. So it appears we can expect more of this in our part of the world.

.......

Alan - I hope your relatives will be ok! If theres any danger with the fires - better to just leave..

[DanielB]

I heard about this from my mother. She's actually on a business trip and is in Melbourne RIGHT NOW. I was told that a big chunk of the plane she took's passengers were firefighters.

I give my thoughts and prayers for the victims of the fires.

[Garritan]

Alan, Gregory and all our friends in Australia,

I hope things improve down under. It is awful to see what is happening on the news. It is disturbing to read that this disaster may have been caused by arsonists.

Stay safe and cool,

Gary

[fastlane]

Is the heat down there humid also. That can really make the heat unbearable.

Good luck to all.



Phil

[AlanPerkins]

There is some weather relief, but still dozens of fires burning out of control.

Death toll now 128.

My mother took a load of toys and clothes to one of the refuges where many people have arrived with nothing left but the clothes on their back.

She rang me after she returned home. She was sobbing.

[Gregory Shaw]

Is the heat down there humid also. That can really make the heat unbearable.

Good luck to all.



Phil

Youre right most of the country is quite humid. I lived in Sydney till I was 30, but the heat down here (bottom of the mainland) is much more dry and scorching. Its latitude 37 S, (Seoul is on the equivalent north latitude), so its a long way from the tropics.

The fires down here tend to be the worst, but there hasnt been anything like these before.

thanks everyone for the well wishes.

[Styxx]

I'm usually a pretty happy person with an effort in making peoples day go a little easier with laughter. However, after reading and seeing pictures of the devastation the jokes no longer seemed appropriate this morning.

Importantly, I would first convey my deepest sorrow for those who have parish and lost loved ones all their worldly possessions by this unbelievable tragedy! Our prayers are with Australia's devastating losses.

Then I was sicken by the news that "arson" may be the cause of so much devastation and loss of innocent life! I started looking at the pictures on yahoo this morning only to find myself logging off in discuss, sickened by the thought some coward actually had started this appalling devastation!What the "@#$%" can a person or persons gain from this? I pray that the authorities find whom ever started these fires and pursue total justice if this news is true!

To take another's life is the sin of all sins! :mad:

God bless you Australia.

[AlanPerkins]

The death toll now stands at 173 and is expected to keep rising for a while.

Arson has indeed been the cause of many of the fires. In somes cases, fires that were extinguished at great cost were reignited by someone.

In New South Wales, (Sydney's state) they suspected someone, took him into custody and the courts released him, but the police must have followed him because the next day he was caught red handed lighting another fire.

It beggars belief.

[jmpaquette]

The death toll now stands at 173 and is expected to keep rising for a while.

Arson has indeed been the cause of many of the fires. In somes cases, fires that were extinguished at great cost were reignited by someone.

In New South Wales, (Sydney's state) they suspected someone, took him into custody and the courts released him, but the police must have followed him because the next day he was caught red handed lighting another fire.

It beggars belief.
I've been following that. It is indeed incredible.

Truly tragic.


Be well.


Joe

[DanielB]

Arson has indeed been the cause of many of the fires. In somes cases, fires that were extinguished at great cost were reignited by someone.

In New South Wales, (Sydney's state) they suspected someone, took him into custody and the courts released him, but the police must have followed him because the next day he was caught red handed lighting another fire.

As much as I like to kick the heck out of their sorry little behinds, you watch, the universe will bite them in the butt three times over. Thank yoouu~ Karma.

Ugh, this is mad.