Post by Katie on Dec 31, 2019 5:45:22 GMT -5
edition.cnn.com/2019/12/30/australia/australia-mallacoota-beach-fire-intl-hnk-scli/index.html
And, my heart and prayers go out to all Australian's entering a New Year and 2020. Apparently, they are in a state of emergency, with wildfires burning at least 33 fires burning across the country, and lots of residents have no way out, and are trapped.
I saw some horrifying images, it is all red in the sky. Literally. I'm not sure if we have any residents in Victoria, I know Granny Charmed doesn't live in the state this is near as far as I know at the Cafe. Dark Avenger and sportgirl however are Australian too.
I'll keep you guys in my prayers, entering 2020. What a horrible start entering 2020 for them.
Thousands of people had to take refuge from wildfires on a beach in southeast Australia on Tuesday morning, having fled their homes as fires swept through the town.
Early in the morning, about 4,000 residents and visitors were forced to leave their homes and vacation accommodation in Mallacoota, in the state of Victoria, authorities said.
The town activated its emergency siren warning of the imminent fire threat and residents headed to the seaside, following an evacuation plan previously outlined in community meetings.
"There's no way in or out," Mallacoota resident Jason Selmes told CNN after evacuating his home.
Thick smoke from the fires turned the morning sky pitch black. As the day wore on, the sky lightened to a bright orange, and the blazes began spreading through the town. Photographs from the ground showed homes burning and an approaching fire line.
Some people sought shelter in the sea. Ida Dempsey and her family were visiting from Melbourne, and evacuated to their boat, mooring about 200 meters (about 656 feet) from shore.
Three emergency strike teams were at the beach with the residents, and emergency services set up medical centers and safe evacuation locations, according to state agency Victoria Emergency.
Fires have devastated parts of Australia for months. Across Victoria, 70 new fires started on Monday, of which more than 20 are still active. In the neighboring state of New South Wales (NSW), there are more than 100 fires burning on Tuesday, of which 60 are yet to be contained.
Early in the morning, about 4,000 residents and visitors were forced to leave their homes and vacation accommodation in Mallacoota, in the state of Victoria, authorities said.
The town activated its emergency siren warning of the imminent fire threat and residents headed to the seaside, following an evacuation plan previously outlined in community meetings.
"There's no way in or out," Mallacoota resident Jason Selmes told CNN after evacuating his home.
Thick smoke from the fires turned the morning sky pitch black. As the day wore on, the sky lightened to a bright orange, and the blazes began spreading through the town. Photographs from the ground showed homes burning and an approaching fire line.
Some people sought shelter in the sea. Ida Dempsey and her family were visiting from Melbourne, and evacuated to their boat, mooring about 200 meters (about 656 feet) from shore.
Three emergency strike teams were at the beach with the residents, and emergency services set up medical centers and safe evacuation locations, according to state agency Victoria Emergency.
Fires have devastated parts of Australia for months. Across Victoria, 70 new fires started on Monday, of which more than 20 are still active. In the neighboring state of New South Wales (NSW), there are more than 100 fires burning on Tuesday, of which 60 are yet to be contained.
And, my heart and prayers go out to all Australian's entering a New Year and 2020. Apparently, they are in a state of emergency, with wildfires burning at least 33 fires burning across the country, and lots of residents have no way out, and are trapped.
I saw some horrifying images, it is all red in the sky. Literally. I'm not sure if we have any residents in Victoria, I know Granny Charmed doesn't live in the state this is near as far as I know at the Cafe. Dark Avenger and sportgirl however are Australian too.
I'll keep you guys in my prayers, entering 2020. What a horrible start entering 2020 for them.