Cyclone Alfred had many of us on the Sunshine Coast on high alert. Businesses shut their doors for days, people stocked up on supplies, and homes were secured against what we thought was coming.
But in the end, the cyclone didn't have the impact it was forecast to, and most of our precautions weren’t needed.
Even though it didn’t hit us directly, Cyclone Alfred taught us some valuable lessons about preparation, mindset, and confidence in the face of uncertainty. Here are four key takeaways:
1. It’s Better to Be Overprepared Than Underprepared
When the cyclone warning was issued, most of the Sunshine Coast - and beyond - went into full preparation mode. Businesses closed for days, people taped up windows, secured outdoor furniture, and stocked up on supplies. Gas stoves, bottled water, batteries, and, of course, toilet paper flew off the shelves.
In hindsight, none of these precautions were necessary this time. But what if the cyclone had hit us directly? The reality is, it’s always better to prepare for the worst and not need it than to be caught off guard when a real disaster strikes. A little inconvenience now is far better than scrambling in a true emergency.
2. Be the Calm in a World of Crazy
When big events happen - whether it’s a cyclone, a bushfire, or even a financial crisis - it’s easy to get swept up in the collective panic. Fear spreads quickly, and suddenly, everyone is making decisions based on emotion rather than logic.
One of the best things you can do in these situations is take a step back. Imagine watching yourself on a TV screen. Are your actions rational? Are you reacting emotionally to the hype, or are you making thoughtful, level-headed choices?
If you have children, how are they picking up on your stress? Staying calm and grounded helps you make better decisions - and it reassures those around you, too.
3. Being Confident in Preparation Feels Better Than Uncertainty
One thing became very clear during Cyclone Alfred: those who felt confident in their preparation were far less anxious than those who didn’t. Being ready for a possible disaster - knowing you have the supplies, skills, and knowledge to handle it - brings a sense of security that panic-buying never will.
One of the best ways to build this confidence is through self-sufficiency.
If you’re a camper, you’re probably already comfortable with things like cooking without power, having plenty of drinking water available, having portable USB device charging and other power sources ready, and packing the necessities if needing to shelter elsewhere. But even if camping isn’t your thing, learning the basics of survival and emergency preparedness can make a huge difference.
If you’re unsure, ask someone who does know. There’s always someone in your community who has been through these situations before and can share valuable advice. A couple of parents were text messaging us before Alfred to ask for tips and to borrow items knowing we'd be well and truly prepared and stocked up. We lived in Darwin and Clint was born in Rockhampton and lived in Weipa so we're familiar with cyclone preparedness!
We even lent a portable gas stove to a client as they didn't own one and the stores were running low. Our neighbour was without one too so we were ready to give her one should the need arise. We're always happy to help when we can.
4. Preparation is a Lifelong Skill
This experience highlighted that preparing for emergencies shouldn’t be a one-time thing - it’s a skill we should develop throughout our lives. Just like we teach kids how to swim for water safety, we should be teaching them basic emergency preparedness. Knowing what to do, where to go, and how to stay safe in different situations is empowering.
If Cyclone Alfred had been worse, would you have felt confident in your ability to handle it? If not, now is the time to build those skills. Learn how to safely secure your home, where to get reliable information, and what supplies you actually need (hint: probably not 100 rolls of toilet paper).
Preparation is about more than just stocking up - it’s about knowledge, planning, and mindset.
Our Final Thoughts
Cyclone Alfred didn’t bring the disaster we feared, but it did bring perspective. It reminded us that preparation is never wasted, that keeping a cool head is a superpower, and that confidence comes from knowledge and experience.
Next time a severe weather warning comes our way, let’s take these lessons with us. Be prepared, stay calm, and build the skills to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Clint & Aimee
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