Wagga Floods 2012

So March is here and so is the rain. We have a few days of heavy torrential rain and sure enough the river rises at a rapid speed. The sun comes out but now the river is rising fast. 3 days after the rain has stopped and at 2100 hours we get the evacuation order, yep that's right we have to evacuate along with 8,000 others from central Wagga city. The next day all the roads are barricaded but at 0630 I snuck through to go and check out our house to make sure looters aren't in our neighbourhood (Roslyn court, 14 units in our block). All looks well so off to the hospital I go for work. I am the Acting unit manager of the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at this time so I have to ring my staff to find out who could take people into their homes as a contingency plan for evacuated staff. Emergency disaster planning is underway throughout the Riverina area including the hospital that is on the edges of the evacuation area. This is what the river normally looks like.

Left: before the floods and as usually seen. Right: 2012 Wagga floods, the Hampden Bridge. The bank goes to 11 metres and they say it will top that however it reaches 10.56 meters, 44 cm from the top, a close one for allot of people. North Wagga is flooded, but as we are not allowed near the area I cannot get photos. This flood is 18 cm lower than the 1974 floods but the people of Wagga are much better prepared. We evacuated at 2100 hours with the kids to a friends place out of the zone and to a safe height.  We take the necessities plus paperwork and electronics. Everything else is left behind. Its a strange feeling leaving your property behind thinking you may have to mop and clean up or throw out allot of things if your house gets flooded. I think to myself that at least the family is safe and we have friends that can help. The high schools are open for those who have nowhere to go, luckily that's not us. Some people said "how exciting to be evacuated" but it is scary, frustrating and takes its toll mentally and physically and we didn't even get flooded. I can only feel a slight sense of empathy with much sympathy for those who did get their houses under water. After 36 hours we are allowed back to our houses and we can't wait to try to get back to "normal". Some people weeks later are still trying either to get back to their houses or cleaning up what remains of them.

Above top: The Highland Pipe Bands club house is under water, Middle left: pipes are trying to empty the lagoon so it doesn't flood the library, Middles right: Road closed due to flooding and pipes, on the side of the picture are the cabins from the caravan park that were fork lifted out before the river began to rise. Bottom: the lagoon is flooding with the library in the background and sand bags trying in vein to stop the water coming in whilst a huge diesel generator tries to pump out water from the usually low lagoon. These are all taken a day prior (36 hours) to the evacuation. And below: One part of a road is blocked off due to flooding much to ruby's delight.

 

The rain has stopped but ruby is on the ready, just in case walking along the 11 meter bank. Looking along the river before we evacuated, Imagine if you can allot of banks with a walkway on the right hand side of the river all now underwater.

After the people are allowed back into the city of Wagga Wagga we venture by the river.

Below is Leilani, Ruby and Poppy with the main bridge to North Wagga still closed as that area remains flooded.

Usually this sign is about 6 meters  above the water level, ironically saying WARNING submerged objects.

A week later the river is still going down, however villages and towns miles away are now suffering similar evacuations and issues as the river floods down there. To the right above a thank you to the SES- State Emergency Services & others are thanked for their hard work.

2 Months on...

Well hello, its been a while so I thought I had better put up a news update. Well Ruby and Poppy are growing fast & Ruby is in a "big girls bed" and still going through the last of potty training. Poppy Is growing fast but still sleeps alot. We have only had one or 2 trips out of Wagga since Poppy has been born and I am still managing the HDU at Wagga Base Hospital whilst Leilani is controlling everything at home (accounts, children, etc) so things are running relatively smooth.
The other day Ruby had her second birthday celebrated at the botanic garden with a few play friends and plenty of cake and food. Check it out....

So Leilani has picked green, purple and pink as the colours of the day & they look great. she also spent a considerable amount of time preparing food over the week for the kids & adults that were at Ruby's party.

Every little bit made by Leilani and tasting good...though the kids tended just to eat the icing so sugar rush for all.....

Gifts for the kids and food to fill them, and its off playing on the play ground and maze.

Oliver, Edward, Madina & Eddie then the other side is Xavier, Ruby & Stella enjoying the party.

Ruby blowing out the candles and then looking for the others in the maze...

All the girls together, Leilani, Ruby & Poppy.

So that day is finished with a little cheers Roberta (Nana Cowie) on her birthday also.

So, soon after Poppy is looking much bigger and I think its time to pull out the camera again. 

 Poppy is up for a few photos, so off we go.

 

Then Ruby decides she might like to get involved which is great so off we go again, and I think the outcome is great!

My beautiful girls. Just to finish off Ruby giving Poppy a big kiss.

Poppy is born...

We arrive at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and within 2 hours our little girl Poppy Augusteen Driessen is born into this world. Born on 13.12.11 at 2243 hours, weighing 3.5 kg and 50 cm long. both Mama and Baby doing well. Though on this post its already 2 weeks later... Christmas has been and now on boxing day we as a family have enjoyed Christmas together. Opa & Oma are here and very proud of their grandchildren. my Sister (Ruby & Poppy's Aunt), Fran is here at the moment also enjoying the festive season. Presents abundant and food and alcohol being consumed we felt like Kings & Queens.

Our daughter Poppy on day 1....

Then we arrive home from the hospital and Leilani is meeting Opa & Oma Driessen & i as the proud father of both of our children carry our new born in to meet Opa & Oma for the first time.

Mama (Leilani) introducing Ruby to Poppy, Ruby has taken a real shine to her baby sister and kisses gently everyday. She also cries when Poppy cries maybe in empathy but is slowly getting better but watches her sister often.

Opa & Poppy sharing a tender moment, really good to see the bondage going on between generations.... and the close up also shows poppy relaxing back chilling out.

Oma & Poppy spending time bonding.

Ruby also gets time to chill out and is a little overwhelmed with presents...yes thank you everyone for such nice gifts. She is 22 months now and growing so fast, but hey she is so great and a real sponge when it comes to learning she'll be a great big sister and teacher when Poppy gets older.

Opa & ruby get some quality fum time in on the bouncer in the park! not sure who enjoyed it more...

and so does his son (me) gets to spend some quality time with my dad as we go to Tumut for a look & stop at Adelong to have a look.

Also Ruby & Oma coming along & spending time while Leilani gets time with Poppy & to catch up on sleep.

Oma & Ruby by the Tumut River, very surreal & peaceful.

And Ruby & I spending the time hanging out when she gets a little to tired to walk.

Also Ruby & Oma pose for a photo by the river at Tumut.

The family also gets time to go swimming which Ruby loves. She has taken a years worth of swimming classes & is so very confident.

well we look forward to the new year, and what 2012 will offer, until then....be good!

Adelaide to Perth - The Nullabor Part IV

We leave Albany on a rainy and wind blown day and set off to see some of the sights but unfortunately they are (excuse the pun) dampened. We get to one lighthouse on the coast and the rain sets in hard. I'm running down the hill to the car and there is this massive kangaroo (the biggest I have ever seen) just relaxing in the middle of the path. Luckily for it bounds off as I have these nightmares of it beating the crap out of me (as stories of past enter my head).

Above left the coast of South Western Australia near Albany and just a little further away the lighthouse. I've seen better! So after the rain sets in we drive heading to Margaret River through Pemberton. we pass by Manjimup and somewhere near is a tree walk and God is on our side as the rain subsides and the sun breaks out for a time so we walk the tree tops and enjoy all it has to offer.

Caza taking a photo 30-40 metres high in the tree tops...

Me standing in front of one of the many huge trees around the tree top walk...

We head off in search of food and continue on our way to Pemberton then through to Margaret River. We go through Pemberton and somehow get lost and this place is small, so not sure how that happens but never mind, we continue our journey and then something catches my eye. 2 great big Santa's at a gate. What are they doing there? I say as I turn the car around and head back. Well it turns out to be a Christmas shop. awesome! We stop and have a browse and get a couple of Christmas deco's for the tree etc. just awesome and if your passing through I recommend you stop and have a browse.

Margaret River, well what a beautiful little spot (and for the wine lover a good all rounder) friendly people, staff at the local pub (with staff from every nation you can think of almost) but anyway we stop here for R&R for a few days and just enjoy whats on offer, walking, reading, eating, sleeping etc its just nice to put the feet up. Caza and I take in a wine tour (of course being cheap we do it ourselves) but still its fun. Below the Margaret River right near where we were staying at the camping ground and a great walk around.

Above "The Watershed Winery". One of about ten wineries we visited but I recommend this one, just all round good.

And so the High Street at night.

A few restaurants around a good pub and a great tourist destination with a beach near by to cover every one's needs. So on we go and now nearing the end of a great holiday with a great friend we head into Perth, stopping at a backpackers for the night in the centre of Perth. We search out the Perth mint for a gander, check out the city centre shopping, getting a few family presents for Christmas. That night we catch up briefly with a friend from England for dinner and then the next day chill at the movies and the beach just taking it all in. So then it s bye to my friend Caza and she's off back to her home in Brisbane and I am staying with a friend that I used to work with in Taree. Staying a couple of nights and seeing yet more city sights we enjoy and relax.

Street corner to the Perth Mint

Entrance to the Perth Mint

Alex (Crabman)

Perth City

 

Well that's pretty much the trip other than the personal conversations, the laughs, the moments shared between me and those friends and people that you meet and share those times with when you travel.

For now my friends my travel is on hold, however the adventures do continue as we wait for a little longer until my second child (my second little girl) is born. Not long now, only about 6 weeks to go.

Keep this spot vacant cause she's coming!