Brisbane Floods

When I returned to Brisbane from the States, I returned to a city largely under water and extremely out of sorts. The rain in Queensland had started in Early December (really it hadn't stopped since about October) and it all culminated in widespread flooding across the state while I was back home.  Brisbane saw water levels that rivaled the historic flood of 1974, and other areas produced new records for historic natural disasters. Here are some images of the craziness.

                                                         Photo: Michelle Smith

Eagle Street, in the CBD.  This area is usually a happening hot spot, with some of the cities best restaurants and a gorgeous view of the Story Bridge.

                                                          Photo: REUTERS/Tim Wimborne

Although you can't see it, these apartment buildings sit on the river's edge.

                                                                                              Photo: Nick De Villiers

This photo made me teary. 

The waterfront Drift restaurant before the floods.

Learning the meaning of irony as it crashes into the Go-Between Bridge. The owner has vowed to rebuild and has been an icon in the rebuilding process.

If you talk with anyone who knows anything about Brisbane, one thing they will tell you is that it's like a big country town.  Cory and I didn't understand the meaning of this until we visited Sydney recently.  Brisbane's city skyline rivals some others I've seen, and it has a lot of the makings of other great cities; a decent public rail line, thriving performing arts & museums, large universities and the student culture that comes along with it, but it also has another quality, an endearing quality that comes from its people. People are still {for the most part} friendly here.  I know, it's a novel concept, but it's refreshing to see someone give you what we used to call the "West-Texas-Wave" when they pass you in the car. It's this culture of friendliness that brought people out in droves to help with the clean up in areas like West End, Chelmer, and Graceville.  There was never a sense of doubt that Queenslanders or Brisbanites would not rebuild.  It was simply out of the question.  And with that, I will leave you with an image that I think symbolizes the general attitude and culture here...

                                                                                                     AP/Brad Marsellos