Australian Bushfires 2019-2020 - Mallacoota - Impacts on people and communities

Embedded below is a series of tweets by Brendan, a local resident of Mallacoota. As the emergency unfolded, he published updates on the progress of the fires and the experiences of him and his family, and later on his community. The tweets included below are just from the first few days of the disaster. You can also listen to an interview with Brendan by clicking here.

Unlike a formal newspaper article or a television news story, this is a very personal account, describing one man's individual experiences. 

Activities
- Create a list of the impacts of the fire on this particular person. 
- Create a list of impacts on the community of Mallacoota.
- Use the hashtags #Mallacoota, #Australianbushfires and/or #bushfires to search Twitter. Explore the perspectives of other residents during the emergency. Add to your lists above, and write a short description of the accounts of these individuals.
- Consider the language and the descriptions included in the accounts you have read. How do these differ from the language and descriptions in more formal pieces of writing or news such as newspaper articles or news reports?
- As a geographer, what are the advantages of reading personal accounts of a natural disaster such as the Australian Bushfires? What are the disadvantages?
 - What steps could you take to verify the accounts of individuals on twitter or other forms of social media?

Live embers in #Mallacoota going dark

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

Sirens now on in #mallacoota from all directions

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

The darkness in #Mallacoota is utterly surreal. Not far off pitch black when this should be a beautiful sunny morning. pic.twitter.com/1tY1i4PZfi

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

This is the worst waiting now. Pitch black. The roar of... something. No visible fire but we (and our CFA neighbor) are sure it’s coming. #Mallacoota

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

#Mallacoota fire heading into Karbeethong. Likely to impact my parents’ house and many more. Thankfully they’re here with me, taking care of the kids downstairs. Fire front expected within 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/FtgrDRYJ0x

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

#Mallacoota is turning pinkish red. Still no flames visible from where I am but plenty of hot embers and the roar is undeniable. VicEmergency notifications are going wild. pic.twitter.com/ang6eTWz8B

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

Sister in a BRIGHT ORANGE work suit blending in with the #Mallacoota sky pic.twitter.com/SfK93GhbUU

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 30, 2019

Spot fire has kicked up just meters from my place in #Mallacoota and I’m not there to defend it. Pretty sure I made the right choice to get all the family in one spot and help defend my sister’s place. pic.twitter.com/TObF66XJZy

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

AusNet services on abc radio right now saying it will be “at least two days” before they can even get in to assess the damage to #mallacoota ‘s power infrastructure let alone fix. understandable but frustrating as we begin to consider how to live in the aftermath of the fire.

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

As I wait for the shady gully fire to approach, I am concerned that #Mallacoota’s water treatment plant is included in the burn map. This is one essential service more important than power. We’re in big trouble if our water is impacted. pic.twitter.com/oYiuLcQUkl

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

Houses on fire <50m away from me in #mallacoota - going dark for a bit pic.twitter.com/fZKDD00q5h

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

Seems like 4 different fronts threading the place in defending in #mallacoota - current wind is helping with 2 and hindering the other 2. Active ember fighting in oppressive smoke is not fun and I don’t recommend it. Taking a quick respite from the smoke inside

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

The water coming out of taps where I am in #mallacoota currently isn’t potable - it is brown and foul. We hope the plant is genuinely intact and the quality clears up over time https://t.co/4PQELtLkY5

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

Emotional update from sister as she’s looking at what’s left in #Mallacoota Trees and posts still smouldering. My house is still intact and what she can see of the school is mostly unharmed. Core of town is intact. CFA have done an amazing job.

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

Heavy losses along the #mallacoota Genoa road. Many houses gone. Abalone co-op is a major employer in town and has taken major damage.

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

This part of #Mallacoota used to be beautiful thick coastal heathland, now burned to bare earth. pic.twitter.com/eD4My9nuHF

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

Unofficial CFA estimate is 100 residential properties lost in #Mallacoota, a town of 1000 people.

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019

Fire still active in the forrest across the narrows in #Mallacoota - view from Karbeethong Ave pic.twitter.com/4b97e4Dvwj

— Brendan (@brendanh_au) December 31, 2019