Weathering the Storm: Accessible Safety Tips for Storm Season

Storm season has a funny way of reminding you who’s really in charge. (Spoiler: it’s not us.)

A smiling Becky wearing glasses holds a lit candle while her husband, Mitch, leans in to kiss her cheek, seated together at their home.

Mitch and I were on our honeymoon—cue the violins, sunsets, and all the romance. On the second night, a huge storm rolled in and knocked the power out. “No worries,” you might think… except the power stayed out for two days. The cabin owners were absolutely lovely and very apologetic, but they’d never supported someone with a disability during a power outage before. And here’s the thing: my wheelchair needs charging. Usually at night. Because during the day—especially on holidays—I’m out living my best life. Newly married Becky was not about to sit still and miss out on all that the beautiful Sunshine Coast had to offer.

The cabins were solar-powered during the day, which helped, but it wasn’t ideal.

Once everything settled, I spent some time chatting with the owners about what I actually need to stay safe and comfortable in situations like that. And it got me thinking… if this can happen on a honeymoon, it can happen anywhere. With storm season shaping up to be a bit eventful, here are some practical (and sanity-saving) tips I wanted to share.

Register for Life Support with Energex

If you rely on electricity for medical or mobility needs, this one is huge. Energex’s Life Support program helps prioritise power reconnection for vulnerable people. This can include:

• Charging mobility equipment

• Refrigeration for medications

• Power for airway devices like ventilators

• Air conditioning for temperature regulation

  
  

If you haven’t registered yet, add it to your to-do list—before the clouds roll in.

Keep an Emergency Kit Handy

If the words emergency kit make you yawn, I get it. But future-you will be very grateful. The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Workbook has great tips to help you build a kit that actually works for you, not just a generic checklist. Along with medications, chargers, and backup supplies, don’t forget:

• Sensory supports like noise-cancelling headphones

• Technology such as iPads or tablets (pre-loaded and fully charged)

• Comfort items like family photos, a favourite blanket, or anything familiar that

• helps keep anxiety in check

When everything feels uncertain, those small comforts can make a big

difference.

Let There Be (Battery-Powered) Light

Collapsible pop-up lanterns from Bunnings are an absolute winner. They’re easy to store, simple to use, and won’t leave you stumbling around like you’re in a low-budget horror movie during a blackout.

Consider a Home Generator

Our home generator runs on solar and can last up to four days. FOUR! That’s four days of power, peace of mind, and not having to constantly worry about what’s charging (or not charging). If a generator is an option for you, it’s well worth looking into.

Secure the Yard (Because Flying Trampolines Are Not a Vibe)

Before a storm hits, do a quick yard check:

• Loose furniture

• Bins

• Trampolines

Anything not tied down can turn into a missile faster than you can say “cyclone

warning.”

Don’t Forget Your Pets

Our pets are family—and when storms hit, they panic just as much as we do… sometimes more dramatically. Have a simple plan:

• Who’s on pet duty if you need help?

• Where can you go that welcomes pets and their opinions?

Here’s the plot twist: evacuation centres often don’t allow pets. For me, that’s a hard no—I’m not evacuating without my cat. If the cats not invited, neither am I. Full stop. Plan ahead now and you’ll avoid chaos, guilt, and a very unimpressed cat when the weather decides to put on a show.

Reach Out to SES

You can contact SES ahead of time to let them know you may need assistance with things like sandbagging or making your property safe. I’ve done this before, and they were honestly wonderful—kind, reassuring, and genuinely focused on keeping me safe. Sometimes just knowing someone has your back makes all the difference.

Storms are unpredictable, but being prepared doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A bit of planning can make a massive difference—and help you focus on what really matters: staying safe, staying comfortable, and getting back to living your life (honeymoon storms included).

Stay safe, stay dry, and may your power stay on longer than your storm snacks last.

With kindness and a smile, Becky 💜