Preparing for Cyclone Alfred: practical and emotional support for families living with disability
With Cyclone Alfred due to make landfall in the heavily populated areas of SEQ and Northern NSW over the coming days, there’s a flurry of advice on how to prepare – sandbags, emergency kits, batteries, and evacuation plans. But for families of children and young people with disability, the usual storm preparations come with extra layers of complexity.
It’s not just about securing the trampoline and making sure you have enough bread and milk (and toilet paper it would seem!) – although that’s all important too. A big weather event like this can heighten anxiety, disrupt routines, and create very real practical challenges for our families. Power outages can impact medical equipment. Limited mobility can make evacuations trickier. Communication barriers can make it harder to follow emergency updates or explain what’s happening to a someone who thrives on predictability and routines. And then there’s the sensory overwhelm of roaring winds, sirens, and flashing emergency lights.
The positive news? The disability community knows how to do it tough and help each other, and there are some brilliant people sharing practical, disability-specific tips online to help families navigate this. We’ve pulled together some of the best advice floating around socials right now – because in times like these, having a plan (and knowing you’re not alone) makes all the difference. Check out some of the things we’ve found below…
Birdie and the Cyclone
From Children’s Health Queensland this free audiobook and ebook featuring Mr Birdie and Mr Frog is a beautiful, calm way to help make sense of everything that is happening around them when a natural disaster strikes. Written for young children but perfect for any development stage your child or young person may be at.
E-book: https://bit.ly/4imCoky
Audiobook: https://bit.ly/3DhDdwm
The beautiful Bec at Rubie and Ollie’s Childcare has written a post that every parent of a neurodivergent child needs to read right now.
Because as Bec so rightly says, this storm isn’t just about wild weather outside—it’s about what happens inside your home when routines vanish, when power outages take away your child’s go-to comfort, and when frustration turns into full-blown meltdowns.
Bec has shared raw, real, survival mode strategies to help you get through. No guilt. No unrealistic expectations. Just practical ways to keep your child regulated (or as close to it as possible) and keep yourself sane in the process.
If you’re staring down this storm and already dreading the impact, go read her post. You are not alone in this.
Tailored Talk Therapies has advice for parents on self-care strategies, including some practical things you can do to manage your own anxiety while the storm is active and looking after your mental health while sheltering.
Kat Abianac, mum to Parker, who has Down Syndrome has shared a brilliant set of communication boards with talking points centred around what might happen before, during and after a cyclone.
View the post and all three boards
The team at Autism Camp Australia has put together a short practical guide to help autistic individuals and their families prepare for Cyclone Alfred. Big storms can be overwhelming—not just because of the weather, but because of the sudden changes, sensory overload, and anxiety they bring.
Their post covers simple steps like setting up a safe space, preparing an emergency kit, and having a communication plan in place. Plus, they’ve shared key emergency contacts for QLD and NSW so you have the right info when you need it.
If you’re feeling unsure about how to prepare, this guide is a great place to start.
You might be cyclone-ready, but are you insurance-ready? For families of children with disabilities, the aftermath of a major weather event can be just as stressful as the storm itself—especially if it disrupts essential supports, damages mobility equipment, or leads to a drawn-out battle with insurance. Solve My Claim has some great advice on how to prepare now, so if you do need to make a claim, the process is as smooth as possible. A little preparation can help ensure you’re not stuck in endless paperwork and disputes—leaving you free to focus on restoring routines, stability, and a sense of calm for your family.
Floods and cyclones don’t just leave damage behind—they also bring serious health risks. From cuts and fractures caused by flying debris to infections from floodwaters, knowing basic first aid can make a huge difference.
This post from PAEDS breaks down the most common cyclone and flood-related injuries and how to deal with them.
For more practical strategies we also have two really useful resources right here on our website.
🔹 Natural Disaster Preparation for Children & Teenagers with Disability – A step-by-step guide to getting ready before disaster strikes, from emergency kits to communication plans.
🔹 What to Do During & After a Natural Disaster – Practical advice for managing the chaos, keeping your child as calm as possible, and navigating the recovery period.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, these guides can help you prepare and respond with confidence.
Stay safe out there, everyone!
