You might be asking yourself, "What do Boxio and a cyclone have to do with each other?" Quite simply, Boxio helps you survive even the strongest cyclones. You'll find out exactly how in this blog. But before I get into my own experiences, first a little general knowledge about cyclones in Australia.
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What is a cyclone and how does it form?
Cyclones are tropical storms. They form primarily in the summer months (December to February) due to warming ocean temperatures. Very simply, they form when the water warms up, then evaporates, and then rotates upwards.
Which regions of Australia are most affected?
Cities in northern Australia are generally the most affected. Cairns in Queensland, for example, is threatened by cyclones every year, as is Darwin in the Northern Territory. These cities are located in the tropical climate zone and have a very humid and warm climate in the summer – perfect for cyclones.
How are cyclones classified in Australia and what does the classification mean?
Cyclones in Australia are classified into different categories, ranging from Category 1, which is considered a mild storm, to Category 5, which is considered an extremely strong cyclone. The classification depends on the wind speed.
What impact do cyclones have on Australian society and the economy?
Well, a cyclone like this can really paralyze life. Depending on its strength, all businesses close their doors. Supermarkets are empty, cafes are closed, and beaches are barred. And once the cyclone hits, the chaos really begins. Buildings are damaged, houses are flooded, trees fall onto the streets. Besides private life, tourism and agriculture are hit hardest.
What should you pay attention to when traveling in a van?
If, in an emergency, i.e. during a cyclone, you are in nostalgic vanlife mode, then the whole thing can get uncomfortable.
Extremely strong winds, heavy rains, and severe thunderstorms make driving very difficult, if not impossible. To avoid driving during a cyclone, it's very important to make some preparations.
Check local weather forecast
Be sure to check the weather forecast regularly to stay up to date with the latest news. Apps like "BOM (Bureau of Meteorology)" and "Willyweather" are best for this. If you can, try to move away from the suspected hotspot, i.e., the area where the cyclone is expected to hit hardest.
Enough fuel and food
Make sure you have enough food and fill up your tank beforehand. I recommend having enough food for at least three days. And there's always room for another package of pasta and pesto. The same goes for drinking water.
Why all this? Quite simply: entire regions can be flooded, the power can go out, which means that supermarkets are often already closed or unable to deliver.
Avoid driving
If you can't escape the cyclone in time, make sure you don't park under trees. Try to park your car somewhere elevated, if possible, so it's safe from flooding. And only drive during a raging cyclone in the most urgent emergency. It's extremely dangerous, as branches, entire trees, or other objects can fly onto the road.
keep Calm
Despite everything, try to stay calm. The storm will pass, and the sun will shine again. As long as you follow the most important points (mentioned above), nothing will happen to you.
Cyclone Alfred on the Sunshine Coast
Now for my experience. As you may know, I've been living on the Sunshine Coast for almost a year. Just three weeks ago, we were in a state of emergency. Cyclone Alfred, classified as Category 4, formed at the end of February and then made its way south along the east coast until it turned northwest again just before Byron Bay, heading straight for Brisbane and the surrounding area. The government warned all residents to prepare for the worst. We had to pack away garden furniture, secure garbage bins, shelter cars, and have enough food and water. And now I'll tell you something. I've never been so glad to have my Boxio products ready for use in my car. No joke! While my work colleagues were racking their brains, wondering, "What do we do if the power goes out?" I have the Boxio Cooler , which easily keeps my essential groceries cool for two days. "How are we supposed to go to the toilet?" I have the Boxio Toilet , and I can go to the toilet as often as I need to without any problems. I even had running water secured with the Boxio Wash . Absolutely well-prepared, but what else would you expect from us Germans?
Well, in any case, my Boxio equipment proved to be very useful and I was much more relaxed than many others.
Ultimately, we were very lucky here on the Sunshine Coast because the cyclone didn't really make it all the way here. Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and northern New South Wales were hit hard, though. Some households were without power for up to five days and were left in the dark. I'll tell you again: Boxio would have made this cyclone week easier for many Aussies. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. A cyclone like this has one very good thing for us surfers: it brings huge waves. Here on the Sunshine Coast, some spots had the right wind, and I surfed the biggest and cleanest waves of my Sunshine Coast life. Simply amazing. So folks, Boxio isn't just good for camping. Boxio will help you have at least a toilet, a sink, and a cooler even in the wildest cyclones. Get covered, it's worth it!
