Flood report

[wiseheart]

The River Danube peaked at 681 centimetres last night. The lower quays of the capitol are still under water. Some villages can only be approached by boat. 11,000 buildings and 32,000 people are currently endangered, and the water is slow to go back. The water pressure is very high, at many places the sandbags are leaking. The government has spent 200 millions for flood defence (or whatever it is called in English) so far.

For Americans these numbers might not seem very high - you folks probably have more of this stuff in a single city. But we're a small country, so yes, comparatively, it is a lot.

Sometimes I'm almost ashamed that I live in a part of the city that is considerably safe. The Danube isn't very far from our place, but isn't close enough to endanger us directly. Not when it's "only" six and a half metres high.

Comments

[cirdan-havens.livejournal.com]

I'm glad youre safe though.

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

Such a beautiful city, I am sorry to hear of the flood. Glad you are all right and safe.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Hey, how come that your icon has changed?

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

I change them from time to time. The St. Patrick's Day icon was getting sort of old. You changed yours too - Sean Bean Elf instead of Gildor Inglorion. I always forget that you don't have to change the default, that you can choose different ones for each thread. :)

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Heh. Someone gave me six months' worth of paid membership, so I enjoy playing with more icons. I never change the default, though. Gildor would pout for an Age or two...

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I'm almost ashamed that I live in a part of the city that is considerably safe.

Why? How would it help things if your home was underwater too?

I hope the floodwaters subside quickly and the damage isn't too severe. Floods are horrible!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Well, the recent rainfalls certainly didn't help, but we're hoping that the current nice weather will stay for a while.

[gone2thedogs.livejournal.com]

Any flood is dangerous, don't feel ashamed because you are out of harms way. I hope the water recedes quickly and the damage isn't too severe, you have such lovely old buildings in your city. Keeping all of you in my prayers.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, the historic buildings are all on the upper quays, so they are not threatened - not right now, that is. Some hundred and fifty years ago the Danube was so high that they stood more than a meter in the churches of the city center.

[archet.livejournal.com]

I hope you continue to stay safe and dry! There's no shame in it, but I think I know what you mean. We had no damage here from hurrican Katrina last year, but not terribly far from here so many people lost simply everything.

Keep safe and keep us updated how you're doing! *hugs*

[jilba.livejournal.com]

That's fair sized flood! As long as everyone's safe, that's the main thing

[rcfinch.livejournal.com]

We saw this on the News yesterday. Hopefully the water will retreat soon without making any victims.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, so do I. It's still terrible for the people who've lost everything they've laboured for all their lives. We'll spend, of course, but that's only 'a drop of water upon a hot stone', as we say here.

[rcfinch.livejournal.com]

a drop of water upon a hot stone

Or a drop on a burning slab, as we say.

[the-wild-iris.livejournal.com]

What a relief that you and your family are safe, and of course there's no need to feel ashamed. I feel for your city, though. Hopefully the flood will recede without too much destruction.

[lhun-dweller.livejournal.com]

Good to know you and your mother and your home are OK! I think it's just fine to be grateful for your own safety - your good fortune does not make things worse for others, and it may be some comfort for folks in a small, proud country such as Hungary to know that all of Buda and Pest are not lost. And if your kids at school are affected (directly or by fears about the floods), it will be good for them to have a trusted, steady teacher there for them. *hugs*