As a cyclone approaches, residents of southeastern Queensland are adapting in various ways. Some have taken unconventional measures, such as housing their pet chickens in bathrooms and consuming their food supplies early. A creative social media campaign has even emerged, where people are playfully suggesting using leaf blowers to “blow” the cyclone away.
Among those capturing attention online are Molly, a magpie, and Peggy, a dog, who have become social media sensations as they weather the storm together in their makeshift shelter. Their antics provide a light-hearted contrast to the seriousness of the weather situation.
One Brisbane man drew considerable social media interest after discovering that his car had been surrounded by an influx of e-scooters seeking shelter. He spent a significant amount of time moving the scooters to free his vehicle amidst the inclement weather.
As the category two storm weakened, its landfall was delayed, allowing residents a brief respite to step outside. On the Gold Coast, creativity surfaced in the form of hill surfing on a makeshift mudslide, with locals amusingly adapting to the weather by embracing the slip and slide experience.
However, conditions remain challenging, and many people are rightly heeding safety warnings and staying indoors. This has resulted in an eerily quiet atmosphere in Brisbane, reminiscent of earlier lockdowns during the pandemic.
With more than 100,000 households already experiencing power outages throughout the region, the situation remains precarious. In anticipation of the storm, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the deployment of 120 Defence Force personnel to northern NSW to support the State Emergency Service as they prepare for potential emergencies.
In a blend of humour and resilience, also reflected in the community’s social media engagement, it’s evident that while the storm poses risks, the spirit of residents remains unbroken as they navigate this challenging weather event.