🌴65. Cyclones

Today, we’re talking about Cyclone Alfred. Not Cyclone Leanne—though that has a nice ring to it—but the system set to hit Southeast Queensland on Friday morning.

As I’m out for a walk, I want to share some thoughts on contingency planning, how people are responding, and what’s going on here as the winds start picking up.

What’s Covered in Today’s Episode:

The Warnings and Initial Reactions: The government’s been flagging this for a while, and I’ll admit, at first, I was a bit complacent. Living in the Kimberley, I’ve seen my share of cyclones that didn’t turn out to be that bad—but this one feels different.
The Power of Information (and Misinformation): I’ve been following various weather sources, from official reports to storm-chasing Facebook groups. Some are measured, others are a bit… dramatic. But the real chaos? The comments section. Panic levels seem to spike when you see what people are posting.
The Great Queensland Panic Buy: Bottled water vanished days ago. Supermarkets are seeing pre-7 a.m. lines. Even the bakery is getting smashed. It’s giving flashbacks to the COVID-era toilet paper saga. But are we over-preparing or underestimating?
What I’m Actually Worried About: It’s not the power going out—I’ve got my battery packs. It’s the mobile towers. No internet means no podcasts, no updates, no way to keep connected. That thought freaked me out a bit.
The Unpredictability of Cyclones: I’ve learned that where you are relative to the cyclone’s eye makes all the difference. The south side? That’s where the strongest winds and damage tend to be.
Contingency Plans for Red Carpet Campout: I’ve got a call with Steve later today about our event next week. Looking at the maps, my gut says it’s not happening. If the access roads flood, it’s game over.
Hearing the Anxiety Firsthand: Listening to people at the sandbag depots has been heartbreaking. Some are trying to protect their homes from what could be devastating flooding. The uncertainty is tough.
Memories of Brisbane’s Past Floods: I’ve been here for two major floods, and it’s brutal. Friends lost their homes. Businesses wiped out. That smell of flood damage stays with you forever. My heart is going out to those in low-lying areas right now.
The Curse of Knowing Too Much: A guy from North Queensland shared what it’s like to be in the eye of a cyclone—he described it as four hours of hearing a jet engine outside his window. Yikes.

Final Thoughts:

Best case? The whole thing is a fizzer, we get a bit of rain, and move on. That would be amazing.
Worst case? Significant flooding, power outages, and major damage.
My plan is to keep this podcast going—assuming the internet holds up.
Right now, the weather is eerily calm. It really is the definition of the ‘calm before the storm.

Thanks for listening, stay safe, and I’ll catch you tomorrow (hopefully).

Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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