I made bread rolls for those in the nearby evacuation centre. It was such a small thing, but it seemed like something home made would be nice if I was in their shoes. When I took them in I saw people without a lot of hope in their eyes and other people holding them up, helping them fill out forms and sorting clothing donations. Some had mud on their feet or were sitting in the carpark with displaced pets.
The whole thing had seemed so unbelievable and now it was starting to sink in. It was becoming clear that this was just our new reality. The course of the entire state's future had changed. We weathered the Global Financial Crisis pretty well, and now, without warning we were being knocked off our feet. But, the Premier (State leader, like Governor) seemed to be handling everything so well and although there was a feeling of devastation for those personally involved, we were feeling generally settled. We were comfortable in knowing we had followed counsel (maybe not perfectly, but well enough) to store food and a financial reserve. Maybe we wouldn't be eating peaches and avocados and bananas, and we might be making our own bread or skimping on milk, but we would be generally fine.
This feeling of security only made me feel more unjust in being untouched in this disaster. I was sitting in my home with the computer, tv, even fridge, knowing how many people were without these luxuries and were facing huge financial burdens. I feel so fortunate that we were spared, but hope that I can still learn to be humble and grateful and provident from it.
The river peaked at 4.5 meters, again lower than expected, sparing thousands (including Orvon's work, we hear from his boss who was able to drive in in hos 4 wheel drive). Knowing that it had peaked was a relief, looking at the horrific pictures of our city, at least we knew it had hit the worst. But we knew the real damage would be seen when the waters receded. So, again we went to bed, waiting to see what morning would bring.
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