I had to pick up some fresh milk at Coles the other day and was surprised to see that there were hardly any vegetables on the shelves which is quite amazing as we live very near to the Lockyer Valley which is a major veggie growing region. I doubt that the local fruit and veggie stores would have had the same problem and I would have gone there to check out the shelves but I am still recovering from the 'whatever' I had recently so didn't have the energy.
It just shows you though how quickly the shelves can empty if the trucks can't get through to the major supermarkets. There wasn't one lettuce in Coles and I couldn't even use our own for meals as it sizzled up during the heatwaves. Apparently some of the crops that are grown up north that were damaged are eggplant, tomatoes and capsicums and the price of them is expected to soar. Tomatoes were already $7.90 in the supermarkets before the cyclone for some reason so I can only begin to imagine how expensive they will become.
 | ||
| Source: Channel 9 news |
As well as a lack of veggies in the supermarket the milk shelves were almost bare as well. I tried to get a photo of the stranded animals on the news last night and I think they are cows and I heard one dairy farmer say that he is milking the cows he can get to but has to throw the milk down the drain as he can't get to wherever he has to deliver it to.
If this is what it is like in a town that had no damage or flooding from Cyclone Debbie can you imagine what it is like in the cyclone/flood ravaged areas.
I believe some people would like to contribute to the clean up effort but I haven't seen or heard anything about where to donate so if anyone has information about that could you leave a comment or, if you are a reader who can't comment for any reason which seems to be happening, please let me know via the Contact Form in the sidebar.
If you would like to read an account from someone from Murwillumbah who has just been though the terror of hearing the river roar through underneath her house and come up just a few inches beneath the floorboards then check out Nanette's blog Stitch and Sow and perhaps leave an encouraging comment for her as she certainly needs some encouraging at the moment.
After the few inches of rain we had last week which pales into insignificance compared to the falls elsewhere I might add, we visited Picnic Point and I took a photo of the waterfall on my phone. It was looking quite stunning and is worth visiting if you are ever in Toowoomba.
To finish off on a lighter note, I was trying to have a quiet time this afternoon but kept being interrupted by this cockatoo in the tree outside the window who was feasting on the pecan nuts. He didn't enjoy having company so flew off with a nut to eat it where he wouldn't be disturbed. They are so very noisy!
Your continuing thoughts and prayers for those suffering in the aftermath of the cyclone would be most appreciated.
Oh no, nannachel! I knew it was bad but goodness, those photos of shelves have got me even more worried now. I hope the worst is over, but I hear there will be more storms to come? I don't know what to say...
ReplyDeleteTake care.
-mrsmeagre
I hope those cyclones don't eventuate, Mrs.Meagre. I think we have all had enough in this state and in northern NSW :-)
DeleteThankyou for this post as it really does show the effects and as you said this is in town. Imagine other areas. I haven't heard anything as yet about how to help so will be keeping an eye out.
ReplyDeleteI was reading Nanette's post too which shows once again the impact. It would have been so, so frightening.
I'm thinking of everyone xx.
Kylie, it certainly was terrifying for Nanette. I think the clean-up has started for her now and will take a while in that area.
DeleteI can't even comprehend 36 inches rain! I think our historic flood about a year ago was only a third of that amount.
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly a LOT of rain, Julie and I can hardly comprehend what it would be like to cope with that.
DeleteRed Cross do an amazing job of taking care of people in many situations, they may be a good place to donate to at this time, they are usually one of the first on the scene and provide help,until government agencies get organized and operating.
ReplyDeleteI think extreme weather is going to be the norm in future, so we all need to be prepared with a good plan in place to stock up and be self sufficient for a week or so. Some of the places impacted by TC Debbie will be without power for at least a week because of access and availability of staff and machinery.
There are many things that can be done well in advance and also just prior to these situations that can make a difference to your health and well being and safety.
It is very sobering to think about how you and your family would cope for a week without power or empty supermarket shelves also what would you take if advised to evacuate ?
Yes Margaret, I think Red Cross would be a good place to donate.
DeleteA devastating weather event like this really does have wide-ranging impacts. I remember the price of bananas after Cyclone Yassi a few years ago. Goodness knows what the price of tomatoes will be! That security that we all place in shops being able to supply endless quantities of food is so easily disrupted by Mother Nature at times. We saw images from Airlie Beach on the news last night, and Lismore too. Such difficult circumstances for those affected. I haven't seen any info regarding donations and the like as yet. Perhaps what is needed is still being assessed. Meg
ReplyDeleteMeg, I am not sure what the banana situation will be like but capsicums, tomatoes and eggplant have been mentioned on the news as being the crops that have been decimated.
DeleteI think there's a site called Giveit, which helps facilitate donations to people effected by the floods. From my experience in 2011, when the Lockyer Valley was hit with the floods, the local green grocers were always supplied with milk, veg and bread. There's a place on the corner of Anzac Avenue, and South Street (I think that's the street).
ReplyDeleteI spoke with the sales person and asked where their milk was coming from, and they said a local independent producer, who milked and packed on site. They said they would never run out of milk. But they did have to limit it to a 2 litre bottle per person, to make it fair. After all, the poor cows can only produce so much in a day.
They also said they had connections with local farmers for produce. I reckon Betros would be similar. They have their far away suppliers, but most are local. So we are fortunate living in an area which still have a lot of producers, and businesses happy to do business with them.
Thanks Chris. Yes the Anzac Avenue Fruit Mart and Betros Brothers would have local produce available I am sure. As you say we are very fortunate to live where we do.
DeleteMy heart goes out to everyone affected by Cyclone Debbie.
ReplyDeleteTake care nannachel!
xx
Nil
We are okay here but my heart goes out to those in the cyclone and flood areas. There was a 'Mud Army' helping with the clean up over the weekend and I daresay that will continue.
DeleteOur prayers will be there with you to know that God is taking care of all of you in his unfolding grace. The dear animals too. Blessings and just feel the power and presence of God..sweet rest and keep us posted Love Merri
ReplyDeleteThanks Merri. We missed out on the huge downpours and the damaging wind gusts but others weren't so fortunate. Now the flooding in central Queensland on Wednesday will be the next crisis.
DeleteThanks for this most informative post Chel. I've had the atlas out, looking up where all of my Queensland and Northern NSW friends are. Glad to hear you're safe. I guess bananas will be off our shopping list for awhile. I feel for the dairy farmers, and the poor cows.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of the reports on the BBC news here and my heart goes out to those affected. It isn't just the damage now it's the weeks and months of disruption it causes.
ReplyDelete