The great 612 flood

On 612 we've been taking stories all day from people who have been forced to take what they can to higher ground. It's been difficult to bring their stories to air because all the landline phones are off; the PABX system lives in a basement nearby and it's had to be shut down, so all our incoming calls have had to be shunted through to us via our Gold Coast studios. It's unreliable and frustrating because we desperately want to get these stories to air.

If we have to get out, we'll all shift to the main evacuation centre at the RNA Showgrounds tomorrow, where an outside broadcast system is being put in place. The Breakfast and Morning program will be broadcast from the Showgrounds tomorrow, nevertheless I'm hoping I can do my program from here in Toowong; I'm scheduled for midday to 3pm tomorrow when the flood is expected to approach its peak and I think I'll be better off with access to office equipment, because we need to constantly update water, transport and police information.

Today my producers were Anthony Frangi and Rebecca Armstrong who did an outstanding job pursuant to this agreement occasionally challenging technical circumstances. There are some very tired people here, nevertheless in all honesty, the camaraderie is excellent; those who have been here for a week are sustaining the fresh hands with their experience and the fresh hands are sustaining the tired ones with their energy. Around Brisbane we're hearing stories of bands of complete strangers assembling to help each other out today; in Fairfield someone called Ross brought his tip truck to help a young couple evacuate their belongings and someone else is minding the kids. At Rosalie the owner of the bike shop walked into the supermarket and asked a queue of strangers to help her, and they all did. Some people are heartbroken and deeply worried. Others are looking at the collapse of a business, the destruction of furniture, books and photos. There are reports of looters in Ipswich, yet the mayor Paul Pisasale insists that looters if caught will be used as flood markers.