Wet

I think most people are aware that north Queensland was hit by a very nasty cyclone in the last few days.  It's still not good up north, because although "Debbie" crossed the coast with great drama and destruction, it was expected she'd settle down, having done the damage, and go away quietly. Not so, she seems to have gained a second wind as ex-cyclone Debbie, and is making sure she's not forgotten by drenching Central and eastern Queensland with torrential rain and massive storms.

That rain is moving across the border and giving us here in the Northern Rivers a drubbing as well.  It's been pretty wet and wild since the early hours of the morning, and the river is rising quickly.

Mt Warning is usually visible to the left of the picture....hiding today.

I took these photos from my bedroom window.  The water's moving very quickly, and dragging a lot of debris along with it.  I've seen some interesting things float past this morning..... a bright pink tub, a red bucket, and what looked like a piece of pontoon from further upstream......all moving far too quickly to get a photo of.

Drains are finding it impossible to handle the run-off. If we get the expected 300-400mls of rain forecast, the road here will be underwater by mid-afternoon.

In the opposite direction, a neighbour's front yard.....already deep under water.  I hope they got their car out!

Looking north, Hospital Hill hidden by rain

Parts of town are already under water, bridges in and out of town are flooded, and there's more to come. The SES (State Emergency Service) are warning of " a big event between now and 4pm".....we'll know soon if this is going to be a moderate or major event.  We're all hoping for the moderate of course, but listening to the rain that's pounding now, I don't think so.  I'm all organised and prepared, as much as I can be, with outdoor furniture put away, tools etc put away up high under the house, and the chooks stowed away snug and dry with plenty of food and water.

So for now I'll wait and see, and try to focus on something other than the weather.....sewing or cooking maybe. It's hard though, I just want to stay glued to the weather updates.

I'm thinking of everyone who's being pummelled by this freaky storm now, those still trying to clean up in north Queensland, and trying to manage without power, their food stocks running low and in some places, severe water restrictions, as well as those further south who are yet to feel it.  Stay safe and dry everyone.

.....till next time