Storms, scapegoats and silver linings: Ann Wason Moore on why we need to stay calm

OPINION: As the damage toll mounts and the true impact of Cyclone Alfred emerges, this is a reminder to the Gold Coast to stay safe and stay kind.

Another storm is brewing, but we can still build a silver lining.

The cloud of complaints were already gathering days ago, with residents criticising everything from media and meteorological ‘fearmongering’ to council clean-ups and, of course, online arguments erupting in the comments section.

Social media offered some incredibly incorrect advice, as usual, such as: “Don’t succumb to the mainstream fear-mongering bull***t … this is nothing new, don’t worry.”

But do you know what really is not new? Blaming the messenger.

Whether it’s the Bureau of Meteorology, the media or the government, every time we face a major weather event, these bodies are criticised.

If the weather turns for the better, it’s their fault for ‘overreacting’ and ‘fearmongering’, if the weather turns for the worse, it’s anger that ‘no one was warned’.

I mean, there is a reason there is a saying ‘unpredictable as weather’ — because it’s kind of hard to completely predict.

New profile shots of Ann Wason Moore. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Then there are the council and other government bodies who have been doing their best to ensure that emergency messaging is received, that public lands were locked down and safe, that protective items like sandbags were available... but for some people, it’s never enough.

The following message was posted on Wednesday to a community page about a clean-up at a construction site:

“Honestly, they call this a tidy-up!? A couple of sandbags and zip ties!? These will be the first things to turn into flying missiles when the winds hit 130km/h in the coming days! Anyone know who to complain about this to? What a ridiculous solution!”

While the following reply might have been argumentative, I was tempted to hit the like button: “Maybe if you go stand over them and tell them they are doing it wrong?”

We seem to live in a world where we are furious if we perceive the government or any major body to be overstepping boundaries, but simultaneously expect someone to do all the hard work for us.

We want all of the rights, but none of the responsibilities.

Yet even as we witness all of this rage, I can understand it to a degree.

It’s all too easy for fear to take the shape of anger and we have been living through some frightening times.

I’m doing my best to turn my attention to those who are building a silver lining out of the storm.

Austin Gregory, an 18-year-old who answered the call to help an 88-year-old Robina resident who was concerned about her patio roof. Picture: I Love Robina Facebook community page

People like Austin Gregory, an 18-year-old who answered the call to help an 88-year-old Robina resident who was concerned about her patio roof.

The community page I Love Robina shared a little tribute to Austin, saying how the teen was reluctant to even have his photo taken, he just wanted to help, not be a hero.

Fortunately, I know Austin’s mum and convinced her that we share the love in the hope that he, along with so many other residents helping each other, can be an inspiration.

Reading the comments below the post about Austin, it seems he already has been just that, with people praising his community spirit and volunteering their own services.

Let this also be a reminder to be kind and be patient with our emergency workers as we clean up our city.

In the last big event to hit the Gold Coast, the Christmas Day storm/tornado of 2023, there were reports of verbal and even physical abuse against emergency crews just doing their best.

Now, the vast majority of people did the right thing, and of course emergency service crews understood the hardship that people were going through, but it’s worth a reminder that these people were doing their best to help the community under very difficult circumstances.

Let’s bear that in mind as we come out the other side of TC Alfred.

Stay safe and stay kind, Gold Coast.