06/03/2025
Thank you for all the kind and concerned messages and calls for us here in SE Qld as we prepare for tropical cyclone Alfred.
We have spent the past days preparing our herd and home as best we can - hoping things won’t be as bad as predicted.
We are located slightly inland between Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Logan/the Scenic Rim. Yes We are in the expected pathway of the cyclone.
We have plenty of supplies and have done what we can to keep all our horses comfortable and safe.
We don’t know how this weather event is going to play out but we’re hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
It’s expected we will lose electricity, phone reception and internet coverage. And the high rainfall puts our region at risk of flooding. Thankfully we only lose one paddock to flood water, but flooded roads have impacted us in the past.
I do feel pretty okay as we head into this unknown event but I am always worried for the horses - and for our community more broadly, especially those in northern NSW and those who are unable to access adequate resources .
I know that personally we are well prepared for this with lots of warning. I am grateful for that .
The boxing day 2023 tornado that decimated our area came with no warnings , no way to prepare. That was 45 minutes of terrifying wind, rain and destruction. Our community still bears the scars. Tropical cyclone Alfred is going to be much more widespread than the tornado . And the wind and rain will be here for days rather than minutes. Knowing what those winds sound like and the damage they inflict helps me prepare mentally as well as physically for the horses and animals and property.
Every one here is bunkered down now - Thursday evening - with the cyclone expected to make landfall early Saturday morning.
The mares and geldings are in 3 small herds for safety , across 2 properties and in safe, flood free paddocks.
The 3 c**ts/stallion are in the yards and stables. I wish i could have them out in paddocks also , but if any fences are compromised it will be too difficult to manage them in challenging conditions .
The chickens/dogs/guiena pigs/goats have all had their cages/enclosures/yards fortified, water proofed and secured as best we can.
I never imagined we would be facing a tropical cyclone here!
Please keep us and our horses in your positive thoughts and hearts. Please support our communities in the aftermath.
I just want all to be safe.
We are sending best wishes to all our fellow SE Qlders/NE NSWers - I’ve spoken to most of our Icelandic horse friends is affected regiona and all seem to be feeling a similar way - prepared, hopeful, anxious.
Our electricity/internet/phone reception will no doubt be patchy from here on in but we will update you as we can.
Be safe 🙏
