You’re right. I should have just started writing instead of repeating the plan. Here is the actual post.

The Ultimate Cyclone Playlist You Shouldn’t Actually Play: Humour, Storm Preparation and What Happens When the Power Goes Out

Cyclones are no joke.

But sometimes, when the weather warnings start coming in, the maps get updated every few hours, and everyone is watching the sky, a little humour helps.

This post originally started when Cyclone Alfred was approaching Queensland, with Brisbane, Toowoomba and surrounding areas preparing for possible impacts. People were charging phones, checking supplies, watching emergency updates, and wondering what the next few days would bring.

When situations are stressful, humans have always used humour to cope.

Sometimes you need a laugh while you are putting together the emergency kit.

Sometimes you need something ridiculous to distract the kids.

Sometimes you need to admit that hearing “cyclone warning” makes you immediately think of every disaster movie you have ever watched.

So, before we get serious, let’s create the most inappropriate cyclone playlist possible.

The Ultimate Cyclone Soundtrack (That You Probably Shouldn’t Actually Play)

For the Adults

“Rock You Like a Hurricane” – Scorpions
A little too obvious. Maybe save this one for after the cyclone has passed.

“Blowin’ in the Wind” – Bob Dylan
We understand the message, Bob. But perhaps not during 100 km/h winds.

“Umbrella” – Rihanna
An umbrella is not a cyclone survival strategy. Please do not test this theory.

“Here Comes the Rain Again” – Eurythmics
Unfortunately, during a cyclone, it may keep coming.

“Riders on the Storm” – The Doors
Accurate, but maybe not comforting.

“I Can’t Stand the Rain” – Tina Turner
A very understandable reaction.

“Thunderstruck” – AC/DC
If lightning strikes at exactly the right moment, it might feel like the universe has chosen a soundtrack.

“Flood” – Jars of Clay
Maybe not the reminder we need right now.

“Stormy Weather” – Etta James
A bit of an understatement.

“Winds of Change” – Scorpions
There is already enough wind, thanks.

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Yes. Unfortunately, it is currently coming sideways.

For the Kids

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring”
Captain Obvious has entered the playlist.

“Incy Wincy Spider”
Poor spider. Today is not your day.

“Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill”
Hopefully they checked the weather warning first.

“Rain, Rain, Go Away”
We would all appreciate that.

“The Ants Go Marching”
Hopefully they are marching somewhere dry.

“Under the Sea” – The Little Mermaid
Let’s hope nobody needs to relocate there.

“YMCA” – The Village People
Actually, a community shelter might not be the worst idea.

Okay, The Jokes Are Over: Cyclones Are Serious

Humour can help people manage stress, but preparation saves lives.

A cyclone can affect everyone differently.

For some people, it might mean:

losing power for a few hours
cleaning up fallen branches
waiting for roads to reopen

For others, especially people with disabilities, older Australians, or people who rely on support services, a cyclone can create additional challenges.

The questions become different:

Can I charge my equipment?

Will my support worker be able to reach me?

What happens if the internet goes down?

How do I access medication?

What happens if the fridge stops working?

Emergency planning is not about expecting the worst.

It is about making sure you are not trying to solve everything during the emergency.

Emergency Alerts: Know Where Your Information Comes From

During emergencies, information comes from everywhere.

Your phone.

Social media.

News.

Friends and family.

Community groups.

The problem is that not all information is accurate.

During severe weather, rely on official sources.

Check:

emergency alerts
government websites
weather warnings
local emergency services

A dramatic Facebook post may get hundreds of shares, but that does not make it correct.

Critical thinking matters during emergencies too.

Ask:

Where did this information come from?

Is it official?

Is it current?

Does it match what emergency services are saying?

What Happens When the Power Goes Out?

A blackout sounds simple.

“No electricity.”

But modern life depends on electricity for almost everything.

When the power goes out:

First:

Don’t panic.

Check what is happening.

Is it just your house?

Your street?

The whole area?

Then think practically.

Basic blackout preparation:

Have:

✅ torches

✅ charged phones

✅ backup batteries or power banks

✅ drinking water

✅ non-perishable food

✅ medications

✅ important phone numbers written down

Remember: phones can become useless if they run out of battery.

A $20 power bank can become very valuable during a long outage.

Disability and Emergency Planning

Emergency planning is especially important for people who rely on equipment, services, or regular routines.

Things that may need planning include:

electric wheelchairs
mobility scooters
communication devices
CPAP machines
medical equipment
refrigerated medications
sensory supports

Before storm season, think about:

Can my equipment be charged?

Do I know my backup options?

Do important people know what support I need?

Do I have emergency contacts written somewhere?

Do I have enough medication and supplies?

The best time to solve these problems is before the cyclone arrives.

What If Your Support Worker Cannot Get Through?

This is one of the realities of emergencies.

Support workers are important.

But support workers are also members of the community.

They may also experience:

flooded roads
evacuation orders
transport problems
power outages
family emergencies

A good emergency plan recognises this.

It does not blame workers.

It does not ignore the needs of the person receiving support.

It asks:

“What is our backup plan?”

Things to consider:

Who can be contacted?
Does your provider have emergency procedures?
Do you have enough food and medication?
Who knows your support needs?
Is there someone who can check in?

Good support planning includes emergencies.

The Emergency Kit: The Boring Stuff That Becomes Important

Nobody gets excited about packing batteries.

Nobody thinks:

“Wow, I cannot wait to organise my important documents.”

But when something happens, these things matter.

A basic emergency kit may include:

Food and water

bottled water
canned food
snacks
food that does not require cooking

Safety items

torch
batteries
first aid kit
radio
chargers

Personal needs

medication
glasses
hearing equipment
mobility supplies
important documents

Comfort items

Do not underestimate comfort.

Especially for children or people who experience anxiety, familiar items can help.

A favourite book.

Headphones.

A sensory item.

A game.

A familiar routine.

Helping Kids (And Adults) Manage Storm Anxiety

Storms are scary.

Even adults who understand weather systems can feel nervous when the wind starts getting louder and the lights flicker.

Things that can help:

Explain what is happening

Use simple language.

“We are having bad weather. The adults are prepared. We are safe inside.”

Create distractions

Try:

board games
movies
books
drawing
music
indoor activities

Make it fun

A storm fort.

An indoor picnic.

Being “weather reporters”.

Making silly predictions about the storm playlist.

Avoid doom scrolling

Checking updates is useful.

Checking every five seconds can increase anxiety.

Find reliable information.

Then take a break.

The Better Playlist: Songs for When the Storm Passes

After the cyclone, maybe switch to something a little more positive.

☀️ “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

☀️ “I Can See Clearly Now” – Johnny Nash

☀️ “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina and the Waves

☀️ “Pocketful of Sunshine” – Natasha Bedingfield

☀️ “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles

Because storms pass.

Final Thoughts

Cyclones are serious.

Emergency preparation is serious.

But laughter is also part of how humans cope.

A silly playlist does not mean we are ignoring danger.

Sometimes a joke helps people stay calm enough to prepare.

So:

Charge your devices.

Check your emergency kit.

Know your plan.

Listen to official warnings.

Look after yourself and your community.

And maybe leave “Rock You Like a Hurricane” off the emergency playlist.

Just this once. 🌧️

Further Resources

Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) — storm and flood assistance
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) — weather warnings and cyclone information
Australian Red Cross — emergency preparedness resources
Queensland Government — disaster management information
National Emergency Alert — official emergency warnings

Stay safe, stay prepared, and remember: every storm eventually passes.

Rock You Like a Hurricane? The Cyclone Playlist You Shouldn’t Actually Play