Meanwhile here in N E VIC I have put a sign out front asking Noah to pick me up as he floats past. I'm sure he will have a solo lady to even things up for me.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
We left Skinners Flat three days ago & headed home. We were camped on high ground, not next to the water but it was still very muddy. The reservoir rose to capacity, the spillway was flowing, fossickers caravans were trapped & couldn't get out from beside the lake, trees were falling over & lots of water was flowing over the Mt Kerang access track in three places. Wedderburn is now being evacuated & the dam wall is close to breaching. A good decision by us to get out we reckon. Now sitting in our favorite armchair, feet up with the fire going sipping a glass of port. Home sweet home.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Friday 14th of October 2022 05:40:43 AM
The van in the original post was left overnight. The water is now up to the floor boards and the van is further into the lake.
Yesterday afternoon, the Western Highway was closed for a while on the south side of Ararat and also on the North side near Great Western, due to flooding.
I am lost for words to think that people can sit and take photographs of a fellow travellers caravan drowning when there is every opportunity to move it out of harms way or are they just frightened of getting their feet wet ..
I am lost for words to think that people can sit and take photographs of a fellow travellers caravan drowning when there is every opportunity to move it out of harms way or are they just frightened of getting their feet wet ..
I feel for the owners of that van. It's not that hard to move the van except if it had some security devices attached.
In March 2014, in our previous van, an Expanda, we had decided to stay at CP near a creek in Shell Harbour. There had been significant rain over a period, about 140mm over a day or so. We had just set up and awaited awhile for a storm to go over us. The site given to us was at lower part of the park on the creek bank.
BOM radar showed the nearest rain cell had passed out to sea. Hungry after a good day's travel, we headed for the town's Services Club for a counter dinner. Unfortunately as we drove to the club and as we ate our meal, there was heavy rain again.
As soon as the meal was finished, we headed back to the van, with concerns about conditions back at the van site because it was located on the creek bank.
Arriving back at the van, about 7.30pm, we found people concerned about our van and its owners' whereabouts as the water was now out of its normal banks across the van site, axle deep or more around the van.
We had been following tide times, and I knew high tide was about 1.00am the next morning. How deep would things be then, if rain keeps falling? So shoes off, pants rolled up, one end of the Expanda folded up, hitched up and driven out of the water for a better packup. Others were nicely assisting us too, The park was pretty level so I asked what the park's flood plan was. Shrugged shoulders was the answer. No sighting of the park managers during this event, hmmm.
We moved to another park in town on higher ground not affected by a creek. Thankfully that park's management answered their after-hours contact, allowed us to set up with a checkin and payments the next morning. Pretty interesting evening.
I hope that van in Victoria had a good outcome.
-- Edited by watsea on Friday 14th of October 2022 04:22:30 PM
markmack and Mike196, your sentiments are also directed at the owner who was happy to sit in his vehicle and wait the 24 hours for the water to subside.
Seems he knew about the spillway which prevents this lake to rise enough to get to his chassis level.
Around 25 4wds did not enter the water for the not wanted help.
SES had also been notified but not needed.
When you have been stupid or brave enough to enter flood waters perhaps then you might comment like you did.
Watsea, yes the owner took his van away with no damage bar wet tires.
Had the circumstances been explained in your original post, I wouldn't have commented. It came across as a jibe at the owner's expense. All in the way a post is read.
We'll be staying home now, thru to Christmas & the end of Summer.
If things dry out & the mozzies/flies die down we might plan a trip for March/April 23.
Great to have a home to go to, living in a box on wheels full time is not for us.
We'd go "cabin crazy".
We feel very sorry for the people in rural Victoria that have had their homes flooded.
While I would feel sorry for the owner of the van I would not move anyones van without their express request and permission.
While it might be heroic and accurate for someone to say that it should have been moved, once the situation has occurred where the van is in the water then if it needs to be moved the very minimum would be to employ the use of a tractor capable of the load and the traction required.
I would certainly not enter the water with my vehicle to attempt moving it.
Most vans of value have insurance.
In any case none of us on here know the circumstances behind it being where it is. If the owner knew the water was rising and gambled as to the final height then so be it.
It is his or hers decision.
-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Sunday 23rd of October 2022 12:39:55 PM
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If you wake up in the morning and see the water rising, but not there yet, should you hook up and drag it to safety? I would if I thought the water was continuing to rise. Maybe the owner may come back and abuse me for breaking the loose crockery, but I think most people would be appreciative.
Once it had reached the state as in the photo, and the water apparently still rising, if I had a suitable rope I would definitly give it a try. Better before that stage.
I used to have a cruising boat and occasionally saw a similar dilemma with another boat at risk. Most boaters will usually step in to help, although the risks of something going wrong there are greater.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Sunday 23rd of October 2022 02:11:22 PM
What if the owner had left fragile or expensive equipment or goods sitting unrestrained on the table or bench tops? Mr/Mrs do-good comes along and moves the van out of "possible" harms way and in the process these items are damaged. As you have not been authorized to move their vehicle, would you be willing to replace these items at your expense? I doubt it.
The other thing that hasn't been mentioned is van security. If I was leaving my van unattended, whether at a free camp or caravan park, I would be fitting some type of tow-ball security system at the minimum. I know that these devices don't stop thieves, but they would be sufficient to prevent Mr/Mrs do-good from moving the van safely. Would you still be willing to move the van if one was fitted?
Feel sorry for them. Yes. Interfere at your own peril.
Think before you act.
Regards Robert.
-- Edited by thomas01 on Sunday 23rd of October 2022 07:25:55 PM
-- Edited by thomas01 on Sunday 23rd of October 2022 10:27:20 PM
