"We will go on." So said Australian Prime Minister John Howard yesterday evening after a powerful tornado swept through the city of Brisbane, leaving thousands of people homeless.
Yesterday this was a place
people called home.
Now it is nothing.

Nicknamed "Lynne" it destroyed homes and threw debris across the sky.
"We didn't even have time to prepare. It just came out of nowhere!" said one Coorparoo resident.
The tornado struck at 10:35am yesterday morning and was only grounded for 6 minutes. But in that time it swept across three Brisbane suburbs, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. It is not yet known whether anyone was killed.
Tornado expert Dr David Kennedy spoke of the enormous ferocity and violence of "Lynne".
"I spent 14 years in 'tornado alley' in the United States and in that time I never saw anything quite like this. It was quite unbelievable ... the force of it was greater than our instruments could handle."

Amidst the stories of devastation come stories of hope, and of people who don't even hesitate in saying that their survival is "miraculous".
"I'd only just come inside from gardening in my veggie patch when the tornado landed," said Mrs Edwards of Norman Park. "Ten seconds later a car landed on my veggies! My poor tomatoes didn't stand a chance."
Throughout the city SES workers having been working through the night to save lives and repair the damage.
Insurance companies are expecting payouts totalling close to $240 million. The effect that this will have on the national economy is yet to be known.
Mr Howard has promised aid for the victims, as has the United States. President Bill Clinton flew in to Brisbane this morning to survey the destruction first hand.
"I want to let Brisbane know that the people of America will support you all the way. Our prayers truly are with you today," said Mr Clinton.
Relief support is coming in from around the world. Attached to a package from Amsterdam was this note:

People of Brisbane,
I wish you well as you struggle to
recover from the torment of 'Lynne'.
We hope that these hash brownies
will be of help to you at this
terrible time.
Sincerely,
Jurgen van Panel
President of Holland

Meanwhile support continues to arrive from around Australia. However, further support is needed, especially blankets, non-perishable foods and red cordial. Donations may be made at any Commonwealth Bank or by calling the Tornado Hotline on 1800 LY NNE.