[Alan Nicholas]

G’Day from Rockhampton Oz! River level @ 9.14m, which is the third highest flood in history in these parts.
The sun is shinning and most of the city is going about their lives like any other day except for the poor buggers who have been flood affected in some way which is perhaps 10 - 15% of the city.
A lot the coal mines in the Central Queensland area are shut down due to open cut pits being full of water or road access to them has been destroyed.
Emerald - population approx 10,000 - 13,000. 80% of this town went underwater to some degree.
The Fairburn dam that is approximately 20 km upstream of Emerald had over 5m of water going over the spillway. Talking to mates out there they told me the dam wall was vibrating due to force and depth of the water.
As for the crocs… well they had better be able to swim bloody fast! The river is flowing very, very quickly.
As for poisonous snakes, well there around just like always except perhaps a bit more concentrated.
What amazes me is the amount of cattle and other livestock being swept down the river! 1 local claims to have counted 30 head of cattle going past his place on the river. If by chance they do get out of the river they tend to be a bit shitty and take a while to settle down.
This river system is the 2nd largest river system in Australia and at the moment it is chokers (full) and our wet season has only just begun with February generally being our wettest month.
As for the CMP’s I think they probably belong to members of the 1st Light Horse Re- enactment Troop.

Regards
Alan Nicholas