My hometown is burning down

Knysna (in South Africa) is burning down.
It has been on fire since Wednesday.
Thousands evacuated. Fires keep flaring up and spreading. Drought is not helping.

I don't live there any more but my heart is broken. For the people in the town and the town.
It is a pretty coastal town. Large parts of it are now burnt.

 

Very sorry AniE. I read the news articles on this sad situation.

 

Thanks Willow. It's heartbreaking. And not stopping.

 

AniE, I am so sorry to hear about the terrible fire in South Africa! I imagine the loss and destruction is just devastating for all who live or are from there! My thoughts and prayers go out to you and
the city of Knysna!

 

Thank you @sanddollar15

I want to cry every time I look at the pictures. My friends there either evacuated, or packed and ready to evacuate.
So hoping they get rain!

 

My thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by this.

 

There's finally some good news. Seems like the strong winds have stopped.
Just watched the drone footage of some of the areas.

 

Good news! Praying for rain and for all those fighting the fires may they keep safe!

 

I saw the news AniE. It was devastating. I still can't figure out how such a massive disaster took place. Everything burnt down and whole city is charred. I saw the pictures. I do not know how to comfort you because the destruction is wholesome and unimaginable. But it is in the time of worst disasters we have to stay strong and courageous and see what should be done immediately and as long term measures. My wish is that the town would recover and go on more stronger than before. And that everything be done to reconstruct the life of the people & the town and their physical, economical & psychological sufferings be alleviated. My wish is that your people their would have the courage and strength to recover and march forward for a much more better future.

I know how severe a drought would be as we are facing the same now. No rains this year and the rainy season is more than 3 months away. Everything is dried up and no ground water. No agriculture is taking place. Crops have withered. Many farmers here died unable to digest what they saw in their fields and some committed suicide due to debts. Cattle too died due to want of fodder and water. I wish your drought too would go away and you get plentiful rains this year.

Be courageous.

 

Thank you @sanddollar15 and @12ss12

1-2, we are still waiting to hear how it started. We were having gale force winds along the whole coast and it couldn't be fought from the air, because the wind was too strong.

I'm sorry about your drought 1-2. It's too awful. Such extreme weather.

Hopefully some 'good' weather - good, right amount of RAIN - to both our countries soon.

 

So sorry, @AniE. I can't imagine how horrifying it must be to watch this happen to the place you grew up in.

Tweet from the Knysna Municipality (@KnysnaMuni), for those who want to help:

#KnysnaFire Beware of scam artists taking advantage of this tragedy. These are our official vetted accounts . Thank you for donations made .

Spoiler

 

AnieE...I am rendered speachless....and my heart is full of sorrow for you and all those affected by such devastationIf there is some way I can help, say it...I'll do it

 

Thank you @zerodegrees and @007Farming

Thank you for caring about my beautiful little hometown!

Zero - thank you for the Knysna Muni info. I didn't know if I was allowed to put it here, and also so many people have their own stuff to donate to...

007 - thank you!

If you ever come to SA, visit Knysna

 

AniE, I am totally shocked by the depth and scope of this tragedy!...but glad you are safe. There really are no words, but sometimes prayer can help...so I offer you mine. Are your family and friends safe?
This is so, so sad....

 

I'm so sorry to hear that AniE. I hope your town and it's people will get all the help you need to rebuild and cope with this terrible disaster.

 

@Lily_pink Thank you. My friends are all safe! But extremely traumatised.

@nicorette Thank you. Knysna residents are already thinking about and talking about the 'rebuild'.

 

Scam artists taking advantage of other people's tragedies are the worst of the worst! I only give money to trusted and well-known charities. I hope some of the money will go to your beautiful costal town's rebuilding and that you'll get some help dealing with the emotional trauma as well.

 

So glad to hear that your friends are all safe!! If they can only dwell on that - they made it through alive - and not so much what has happened, maybe they can feel better a little faster...but they probably already know that. What you all have been through is horrible, devastating - and one can only hope to be able to look forward.
May you all recover as soon as possible.

 

I am really sorry for what is happening in your hometown Anie...

I want to come in South Africa I have friends in Johansbourg. I really wish all the best for Knysna and it's citizens.

 

Thank you @Arielh