ZombieKitten said:

it must be a common thing to have a stable when you do that then.
so many of those stories of those who died seemed to have not evacuated
in order to "save" their animals.

emm said:

exactly

They said on the news here today (mentioning that cause they made it a long way and so might be wrong) that just under 40 people are still missing and that the authorities have ok'ed 1000 (!!) people to make a second search of the burned down homes to look for victims again.

Teacher said:

ugh

This coming Tuesday is going to be another nail biter.

I just read that the Murrindini fire near Yea (which has been burning since the 7th and is still out of control) has burned around 165,000 Hectares (approx 407,000 Acres ...I think?).

That's mental!

Incredibly cold here today. Hopefully it will rain.

TyphoonTip said:

Isn't it going to rain this week coming?

ZombieKitten said:

I think that's after Tuesday unfortunately.

TyphoonTip said:

bugger

Victoria Police SMSing all Victorians due to extreme weather conditions tonight & tommorow!

Amaxx said:

Jeez, just got the txt.

I can appreciate the gravity of the situation, but the first thing that occurred to me was 'where are they getting the numbers from?'.

It's either a crazy database the police have. Scary but also unlikely. Or, the police have contacted service providers to send their customers the txt on the police's behalf.

Don't want to go all '1984' on everyone! Just the first thought that popped!

TyphoonTip said:

omg!!!! are you serious?!?!?!

too bad if you're with crazy johns or with pre-paid whichever the case may be, I didn't get one

TyphoonTip said:

it's definitely this

FROM POLICE WEBSITE

Extreme fire and storm warning - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Release date: Mon 2 March 2009
Last updated: Mon 2 March 2009

Extreme fire and storm conditions are predicted across the entire state for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

All Victorians, no matter where you live, need to be alert to increased fire risk and bad weather conditions.

All residents should monitor fire and weather reports and be ready to activate their fire plans.

While every attempt will be made you may receive little, if any, official warning of fire.

All residents choosing to leave their properties need to leave early.

It is recommended you depart Monday ahead of extreme conditions on Tuesday.

You should travel in daylight and only if it safe to do so.

Localised power outages are anticipated, so be prepared have a battery operated torch and a battery operated radio at hand to listen for updates and warnings.

People in all areas, especially those in fire affected areas, should exercise extreme caution due to unstable trees.

People in fire affected areas should exercise extreme caution due to temporary infrastructure.

In the event of an emergency consider helping your neighbours and those who may be vulnerable.

For VICSES emergency assistance and storm response call 132 500

For all emergencies including reports of fire – phone Triple Zero (000).

Listen to Local ABC Radio for weather and fire updates.

For more information contact the Victorian Bushfire and Storm Information Line on 1800 240 667 or visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au on the Internet.

Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech or communication impairment, and who have access to a TTY (teletext) machine, can call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line during business hours on TTY 1800 122 969. (Note - you cannot contact this number from a mobile phone or an ordinary phone).

MORE INFORMATION - visit Victoria Online at http://www.vic.gov.au/ on the Internet.

ZombieKitten said:

I've got a prepaid plain. Strange?

ZombieKitten said:

Don't U keep your Mobile in the Fish tank or the kennel? Or was it the wheelie bin?"hmm2:

OK guys, finger's crossed for tonight and tomorrow.

And if anyone thinks they might be in harms way, DON'T be a hero.
Get out now!!

Bugger the whole 'stay & fight' nonsense.

Amaxx said:

ohh!!!!!

TyphoonTip said:

my mother in law didn't get it either but she ISN'T prepaid
maybe just telstra and optus got it?

I'm with Virgin and I got the text.

"That text from Vicpol was interesting. We had hundreds of people call 000 when that went through, they wanted to know where to evacuate to and stuff like that. Vicpol should know that there is no IQ test when acquiring a mobile phone! I am not sure that the SMS was a good idea, more of an over reaction from 7th Feb."

from my friend who takes emergency calls for a living

They really think people won't call up when they get a text from the POLICE warning of EXTREME conditions?

purplesweat said:

people really thought it was a message especially for them, not a mass spam

ZombieKitten said:

lol of course they would, I don't know how the police didn't expect that.

purplesweat said:

my mother in law is angry she never got anything "bloody police"

ZombieKitten said:

lol she should be glad, even though I know it was a mass text, it was still eerie. On the freeway on the way home there was a big flashing sign saying the same thing.

ZombieKitten said:

Be careful. Don't be thinking bad things about the police. They can hear you!

purplesweat said:

TyphoonTip said:

oh I didn't say that, she did