Hanging Out On the 18th Floor

1/11/11

We should have known we were in for an unusual day. While on the patio early in the morning, I noticed that even though we were up before 6am, the ferries weren’t running. When I checked online, they said they were not running today as the river current was strong.

Bob went off to work in the rain, walking on the river walk below. Because of the heavy rain, I decided to stay in for the morning and do some ironing. Later we heard the flood waters were heading to Brisbane. Bob was released from work around 2pm and had to find a different way home as part of the river walk was already under water. We went off to the grocery store to pick up more food.  The store was crowded, but friendly and we waited in line for 40 minutes to check out.  We arrived home, assured we would be okay. We settled in and would go out on the patio to watch the debris float by. After the tide, the waters receded and the river walk was opened again.

We received an email from our new church friends and Bob received calls, from the two companies he is here working with, checking up on us.

City Ferry dock across the river

1/12/11

We woke to a beautiful day of sunshine and blue sky. You could see the water level was back up. Bob worked from home and we would watch the activity on the river; lots of debris going down the river as well as Coast Guard, police and helicopters as the waters rose slowly through the day.

We kept informed of the situation and our computers and Bob’s phone charged in case of power shutdown. The electrical system is in the basement of these high-rise buildings and power had been turned off to the downtown buildings and to the building next to us, but ours has remained on. (The building next to us had power restored later in the afternoon)

We weren’t sure how much was being forecast in the states, so we thought we should inform you all that although there was flooding in Brisbane, we were safe and doing fine. 

River walk

 

1/13/11

Another beautiful day of sunshine and praise God, the water levels were not as high (3 ft lower) than predicted this morning and should start receding today.  It will take several days for it to recede completely. We still have power, but the lifts (elevators) have been shut down due to water in the fourth level of the basement. Although there is much ahead as far as cleanup around the city, there is a great sense of relief that the waters will not exceed the flood of 1974 as earlier feared.

So we are here on the 18^th floor for at least another day. Not that there is many places to go as the ferries, buses and trains are shut down.

We praise God that we are safe. Please keep the state of Queensland in your prayers!

P.S. As I was posting an announcement was made that as long as the basement water doesn't get any higher, the elevators will be back in service at 7am Friday!


Looking toward the CBD
(City Business District)