时间:2024-11-10 11:49:39 来源:网络整理编辑:綜合
The sun didn't rise on New Year's Eve. The summer morning in a small beach town on the east coast of
The sun didn't rise on New Year's Eve. The summer morning in a small beach town on the east coast of Australia looked like a winter's night.
That black sky soon gave way to a blazing, eerie orange as the flames approached. At least 4,000 people were told to jump into the ocean if the worse came to pass. Gas cylinders could be heard popping like fireworks as they exploded.
The town of Mallacoota looked apocalyptic on Tuesday local time as it became the latest victim of Australia's out-of-control bushfires.
It was too late to evacuate.
"We are one road in, one road out. That road's been blocked for hours and hours and hours," Francesca Winterson from Mallacoota Community Radio told News Breakfast, a national TV broadcast.
"[T]he emergency services sounded their sirens all around town, telling people that's it, get into your safe place."
Mallacoota, in Victoria, has over 1,000 residents, and is also a popular camping destination during the Christmas and New Year holidays, leading to a surge in population.
SEE ALSO:Australia's 1.2-million-acre megafire is out of control"At that point, I was praying. I was an atheist. I was praying to God, praying to Jesus, turn the wind," David Geoffrey, owner of Mallacoota's Wave Oasis bed and breakfast, told Australia's ABC News.
Strong winds, lack of rain, and a historical heatwave have exacerbated Australia's bushfire crisis, spreading the fires with incredible speed. At least nine people have died so far, including three volunteer firefighters. Over 11 million acres have burned, with approximately 900 homes destroyed in the state of New South Wales alone. Escape routes have been blocked, towns engulfed.
"[T]hey wanted us to get into the water, get against that [rock] wall," Geoffrey said. "It's got oysters and stuff, not the greatest thing to do but it will save you from radiant heat, it's a barrier. So we were ready to jump in. And everyone was all along the edge, ready to go."
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
"It was pitch black until about five minutes ago, now the sky is red," resident Mark Tregellas told ABC Gippsland just before 10 a.m. "It’s starting to get embers coming out of the sky, the wind is coming directly at us from the west so everyone’s about as prepped and ready as they can be."
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
Australia's bushfires have been burning since July and are expected to continue for months, with below-average rainfall predicted until at least March.
Many Australians blame this disastrous fire season on climate change. Hot, dry conditions across the country have turned Australia's bushland into easy kindling, the country's average temperature climbing to a record-breaking high this year.
"[There's a direct link] because what climate change does is exacerbate the conditions in which the bushfires happen," Australian National University's Dr. Imran Ahmed told the BBC.
Photos show the Blue Cut fire blazing a path of destruction in California2024-11-10 11:47
Chloë Grace Moretz is amazed by this Chloë Grace Moretz lookalike2024-11-10 11:34
India's largest telecom network Airtel announces plans for free voice calls2024-11-10 11:18
Romantic student's public declaration of love literally goes up in smoke2024-11-10 11:11
Cat gets stuck in the most awkward position ever2024-11-10 11:06
Tallest wave ever recorded could have swamped the White House2024-11-10 10:58
This perfect sports Vine is a comedy in three acts2024-11-10 10:55
Man who allegedly admitted to killing football star Joe McKnight released without charges2024-11-10 10:40
Man stumbles upon his phone background in real life2024-11-10 09:54
Michelle Obama on election night: 'I went to bed'2024-11-10 09:24
Richard Branson 'thought he was going to die' in bike accident2024-11-10 11:42
Teen magazine shocks readers with scorched2024-11-10 11:16
Hip university sends college acceptance notices on Snapchat2024-11-10 11:13
Couple emphasizes consent in clever 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' remix2024-11-10 11:05
This chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jump2024-11-10 10:46
Jerks stole photos from Maisie Williams' private Facebook account2024-11-10 10:02
Woman expertly trolls people who won't stop asking when she's having kids2024-11-10 10:01
Watch Hawaii become a winter wonderland2024-11-10 09:35
17 questions you can answer if you're a good communicator2024-11-10 09:17
Mysterious bread sponge is desperately trying to be 'the dress'2024-11-10 09:12