How do you photograph a cyclone? It’s not easy because the wind and rain pound down in steady white sheets of water, roads are flooded, power is out and the noise on the roof starts to become very monotonous as does the overflowing gutters and rattling windows. Will the gumtree up the backyard hold on or shed a few branches to survive? Will my family and friends be okay? Will the wildlife creatures be safe from rising flood waters? I fear for farmers and their animals and crops more than I do city dwellers who have been forewarned for days to prepare and take shelter. Tropical Cyclone Alfred originated from a tropical low in the Coral Sea and so much has been put in place to inform and assist those who live and work in South East Queensland. We did lose electricity overnight but power was quickly restored. Alfred was a big powerful cyclone but today it’s moving away, a tropical low, leaving behind heavy rain, rain, rain and a waterlogged city. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost so much already. Praise must be given to those who spoke (and signed) so eloquently via the media to keep us informed. Praise for those workers who put their lives on the line to help others. A big thumbs-down to those idiots who risked their lives and others to pull daredevil stunts. Not cool. Soon I will watch news reports and see pictures of our rain-soaked River City and no doubt there are scary photos online showing what’s going on along the Brisbane River. It floods dramatically and the debris it carries is often mindboggling, boats, cars, bridges, roofs and countless other hapless items washed away in its churning liquid power. Yes, I have an emergency kit packed. I live on the side of a hill so immune to rising flood waters but the creek at the bottom of the street will have broken its banks and be flowing across the road towards homes. Local kids will frolic in it, sewerage, snakes and all. Remember the slogan “If it’s flooded forget it!” Nature keeps us alive but every so often there is a backlash to keep us in line. I respect Nature in all forms, not just from sea surf to mountain ranges, because in many ways Nature has more unexpected power than humans over our life and death here on earth. Stay safe my friends.
💗 © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2025

TRIVIA FACT
With cyclones being named alphabetically, Anthony was originally the next name to be used starting with A, but the BOM decided to switch to Alfred to avoid any association or confusion with the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Alfred_(2025)#:~:text=As%20the%20seventh%20named%20storm,Coral%20Sea%20on%2020%20February.