As Cyclone Alfred began making headlines as the first cyclone to threaten Brisbane since Cyclone Zoe in 1974, apprehension gripped many locals who had never experienced such an event.
For days leading up to the cyclone, anxiety rose alongside preparations, evidenced by long queues for essentials like sandbags.
On Wednesday, some residents endured waits of up to six hours, highlighting both the severity of the situation and the pressing need for community support.
Recognising the urgent need for help, some of CarExpert’s Brisbane crew mobilised swiftly, knowing we had the perfect vehicle for the task – a Mazda BT-50 dual-cab ute.
On Thursday afternoon, amid growing queues and increasing urgency, they loaded sandbags at a local depot.
It was heartening to see volunteers from diverse political backgrounds, including Greens, Labor, and LNP, coming together, putting aside political differences, and working tirelessly in unison. Wearing their respective campaign shirts, they symbolised community unity in the face of adversity.
After loading the Mazda BT-50 with as many sandbags as it could safely carry, the CarExpert team set out to deliver them to vulnerable residents across Brisbane’s western suburbs.
The ute proved its reliability, navigating slippery roads and torrential rain with remarkable sure-footedness, its roller cover ensuring the sandbags remained dry and ready for immediate use.
By Friday, schools had closed, intensifying concerns for safety among local families. We took to social media, proactively offering sandbag delivery assistance to those unable to collect their own.
Responses came swiftly from elderly residents, university students living in shared accommodations, and essential service workers who were unable to leave their posts.
Each delivery not only provided critical resources but also conveyed reassurance and solidarity, comforting recipients who expressed immense gratitude.
Throughout the storm, the Mazda BT-50 dual-cab ute was more than just transport—it became a beacon of community spirit.
Its reliability under heavy rainfall and flooded roads allowed us to consistently reach those in urgent need, ensuring homes were protected from anticipated flooding.
As Cyclone Alfred’s intensity peaked, approximately 450,000 homes and businesses lost power, and flooding became widespread.
Though the limited number of sandbags didn’t make a huge impact, they helped a few and for that we were very thankful.
In Sunday’s press conferences, the Queensland premier praised the community’s proactive response and volunteer efforts, reinforcing that such collective spirit significantly mitigated the cyclone’s potential impacts.
Big thanks to Mazda Australia for helping make this happen.
