Record floods devastate eastern Australia
Record floods cut a destructive path through eastern Australia on Friday, May 23, caking houses in silt, washing out roads and separating 50,000 people from help.
Four bodies have been pulled from vast tides of floodwater engulfing parts of northern New South Wales, a fertile region of rivers and valleys some 250 miles up the coast from Sydney. Salvage crews were preparing to launch a major clean-up operation as waters started receding Friday morning, surveying the damage from half a year's worth of rain dumped in just three days.
"So many businesses have had water through and it's going to be a massive cleanup," said Kinne Ring, mayor of the flood-stricken farming town of Kempsey. "Houses have been inundated," she told national broadcaster ABC. "There's water coming through the bottom of houses, it's really awful to see and the water is going to take a bit of time to recede."
State Emergency Service boss Dallas Burnes said more than 2,000 workers had been deployed on rescue and recovery missions. "A real focus for us at the moment will be resupplying the isolated communities," he said, adding that 50,000 people were still stranded.
Burnes said rescue crews had plucked more than 600 people to safety since waters started rising earlier this week. People clambered atop cars, houses and highway bridges before helicopters winched them away. Although the floods were easing, Burnes said the stagnant lakes of muddy water still posed a threat − including from snakes that may have slithered into homes in search of shelter. "Floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes. You need to assess those risks. Electricity can also pose a danger as well."
'Horrific circumstances'
The storms have dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, the government weather bureau has said, smashing flood-height records in some areas.
"These are horrific circumstances," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday as he travelled into the disaster zone. "The Australian Defense Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required," he told local radio. "There's been massive damage to infrastructure and we're going to have to all really pitch in."
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Locals spotted dead cows washing up on beaches after swollen rivers swept them from their pastures inland. The government has declared a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areas.
'Compelling evidence'
From the arid outback to the tropical coast, swaths of Australia have recently been pummelled by wild weather. The oceans surrounding Australia have been "abnormally warm" in recent months, according to Australia's government weather bureau.
Warmer seas evaporate more moisture into the atmosphere, which can eventually lead to more intense rains. Although difficult to link to specific disasters, climate change is already fuelling more extreme weather patterns, scientists warn. Flood modelling expert Mahdi Sedighkia said this week's emergency offered "compelling evidence" of how climate change could affect regional weather patterns.
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LeMonde
23-05-2025
- LeMonde
Record floods devastate eastern Australia
Record floods cut a destructive path through eastern Australia on Friday, May 23, caking houses in silt, washing out roads and separating 50,000 people from help. Four bodies have been pulled from vast tides of floodwater engulfing parts of northern New South Wales, a fertile region of rivers and valleys some 250 miles up the coast from Sydney. Salvage crews were preparing to launch a major clean-up operation as waters started receding Friday morning, surveying the damage from half a year's worth of rain dumped in just three days. "So many businesses have had water through and it's going to be a massive cleanup," said Kinne Ring, mayor of the flood-stricken farming town of Kempsey. "Houses have been inundated," she told national broadcaster ABC. "There's water coming through the bottom of houses, it's really awful to see and the water is going to take a bit of time to recede." State Emergency Service boss Dallas Burnes said more than 2,000 workers had been deployed on rescue and recovery missions. "A real focus for us at the moment will be resupplying the isolated communities," he said, adding that 50,000 people were still stranded. Burnes said rescue crews had plucked more than 600 people to safety since waters started rising earlier this week. People clambered atop cars, houses and highway bridges before helicopters winched them away. Although the floods were easing, Burnes said the stagnant lakes of muddy water still posed a threat − including from snakes that may have slithered into homes in search of shelter. "Floodwaters have contaminants. There can be vermin, snakes. You need to assess those risks. Electricity can also pose a danger as well." 'Horrific circumstances' The storms have dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, the government weather bureau has said, smashing flood-height records in some areas. "These are horrific circumstances," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday as he travelled into the disaster zone. "The Australian Defense Force will be made available. There's going to be a big recovery effort required," he told local radio. "There's been massive damage to infrastructure and we're going to have to all really pitch in." New Le Monde's app Get the most out of your experience: download the app to enjoy Le Monde in English anywhere, anytime Download Locals spotted dead cows washing up on beaches after swollen rivers swept them from their pastures inland. The government has declared a natural disaster, unlocking greater resources for affected areas. 'Compelling evidence' From the arid outback to the tropical coast, swaths of Australia have recently been pummelled by wild weather. The oceans surrounding Australia have been "abnormally warm" in recent months, according to Australia's government weather bureau. Warmer seas evaporate more moisture into the atmosphere, which can eventually lead to more intense rains. Although difficult to link to specific disasters, climate change is already fuelling more extreme weather patterns, scientists warn. Flood modelling expert Mahdi Sedighkia said this week's emergency offered "compelling evidence" of how climate change could affect regional weather patterns.
Euronews
29-04-2025
- Euronews
Valencians physically, emotionally exhausted six months on from floods
ADVERTISEMENT "We lost it in the DANA," many locals in villages outside Valencia reply of their personal belongings. From baby strollers to wedding dresses, laptops to photo albums - six months after the devastating floods in a number of villages outside Valencia, the so-called DANA remains the only thing on people's minds. The DANA, Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, or 'cold drop', was the atmospheric phenomenon which on 29 October 2024 brought torrential rain and a year's worth of precipitation. More than 227 people lost their lives and thousands of businesses and homes were damaged. After the flooding, thousands of volunteers from all around Spain came to help clean up. Many arrived by foot. Six months later, although people here are grateful to be alive, the mental suffering feels more acute than ever. With elevators broken down and parking lots destroyed - the day to day lives of people changed for the worse - especially for the old and vulnerable. Although houses are being renovated and businesses gradually reopening, the price tag of the economic damage remains at billions and the psychological consequences for children acute. "We are more drained now than six months ago", Juan Ruiz Father of two Juan Ruiz is about to move house for the second time since losing his newly renovated home six months ago. On top of the normal day to day tasks, daily life now consists of admin, paper work, home renovations - piecing together the life his family had before the 29 October 2024. Juan is forever grateful to the volunteers who gave up their free time to support him and his family, but disappointed with local politicians for their lack of support. A massive demonstration had been arranged for Monday to call for the resignation of the President of the Valencian Community Carlos Mazón, for the management of the DANA of October 29, but was postponed due to the historic electricity outage. With the country on a level 2 emergency plan, organisers said they were acting responsibly for security reasons and would hold the demonstration on Tuesday instead during the EPP party Congress. "Mazón, resign" Demo postponed The spokesperson for the demonstration told Euronews it was terrible to hold the EPP congress and celebration in Valencia, a city still in mourning. "It is for us an insult as they are validating the criminal management of the worst ecological catastrophe in our area" Beatriu Cardona English teacher and spokesperson for DANA victims Beatriu is calling another demonstration for today at 18h30 at the same time the European Popular Party Congress will be hosting an official dinner. "At that very time, six months ago there were dozens of people being flooded and dying from Carlons Mazón's incompetence," Beatriu Cardona told Euronews. For her part, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said she would not meet victims this week in Valencia but has invited them instead to Brussels on 13 May. "I hope the People's Party will at least pay for their flights and hotel," chirped José, another demonstrator in the crowd praising the Commission President for showing solidarity. Protesters hope the European People's Party congress will put pressure on Carlos Mazón to step down from politics as the biggest fear in Valencia is that the tragic DANA will strike again.
Local France
25-11-2024
- Local France
French Phrase of the Day: C'est la loose
French Word of the Day For Members This French phrase might come up if you are not very good at board games. Why do I need to know c'est la loose? Because you might hear this come up when chatting with young French people. What does it mean? C'est la loose - roughly pronounced 'say lah loose' - is an anglicism that basically means 'bad luck' or 'that's too bad'. It is a very informal expression, primarily used amongst young people. The word loose in French comes from the English word 'loser' or 'to lose'. You sometimes see this phrase written with different spellings, such as lose, louse, and louze. In more formal French, you might say c'est terrible (it's terrible), pas de chance (no luck) or quelle malchance ! (what bad luck!). For a slightly more casual option, you could say pas du pot (no luck). La loose can also be used to describe a person or team who has lost or has bad luck. In this case, it's similar to saying 'the loser' in English. The more formal version in French would be perdant. Use it like this Passer ses vacances sous la pluie, c'est la loose. - Spending your holidays in the rain, what bad luck. C'est la loose mec. J'ai perdu mes clés et il était trop tard pour que le serrurier vienne. - It's such bad luck mate. I lost my keys and it was too late for the locksmith to come.
