We were hit by a Category 3 Cyclone. Here’s what I learnt from 6 days cut off from the world.

Two weeks ago, New Zealand was hit by a Category 3 cyclone.

I am currently working from New Zealand and found myself in the pathway of the storm. Despite doing the necessary prep, I was totally under-prepared for what happened next.

The cyclone rolled through on a Monday night. There was wind, there was rain, there was even a 4.2 magnitude earthquake in the middle of it all.

Waking up on Tuesday morning, the sun was trying to break through the clouds. The ground was wet, but the storm appeared to be gone.

I checked the light switch to see if the power as still on. Result! We still had power. The storm mustn’t have been that bad….

… turns out, it was much worse than I thought.

The small town I am staying in was completing cut off from the world. In every sense of the word - no phone, no internet, no mobile data, no roads accessible in or out of town, no planes flying. Cut off. Completely.

It would be 6 days before communications were restored.

Six days with minimal distraction gave me a lot of time to think, reflect and contemplate on my own personal lessons from the cyclone.

Elon legit might save the world ;-)

When the cyclone hit, it was the technology of my childhood that kept us connected - FM radio stations, copper phone lines (most people will have no idea what this is) and satellite TV. Plus generators powered by fuel.

But it was the lack of internet that really hit the hardest.

Without internet, we can’t pay for things (credit cards were useless, cash was king but only if you had it already - ATM’s didn’t work). 

Without internet, we can’t watch TV. 

Without internet, we can’t check the news.

Without internet, we can’t put payroll through.

Without internet, many of us can’t work.

And so on….

In the end, it was Elon Musk and Starlink that got us back online before anyone else.  Without Starlink, the whole thing would have felt a lot worse.

Thanks Elon! 

(I actually think Starlink will be the future - sorry to those who hate Elon!)

Lesson: Its great to see at least one billionaire creating technology that actually makes a positive difference to the way we live our lives

You can prepare. But it probably won’t be enough.

I thought by filling my car with fuel, the bath with fresh water and doing a supermarket shop, that I was prepared. Turns out, that was probably only 50% of what was needed!

My partner made me feel like I was being dramatic with all my preparation. 

But as prepared as I thought I was, it still wasn’t enough.

Lesson: Do what you can. But also know that sometimes life (or Mother Nature) will have other ideas. You can't prepare for everything. And you can't control everything.

Community is the key to life

Community takes so many different forms. 

In Real Life, the local community was so supportive. It’s incredibly humbling and inspiring to watch communities come together in times of crisis and tragedy.

And online the community was amazing as well. So many people from around the world checked in and sent their love and support. And for that I feel blessed and grateful.

Lesson: Life is now and has always been, about human connection. Being part of a community will always feed your soul more than being isolated from others.

If you would like to help those in New Zealand who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, you can donate via the Red Cross using the link below.

https://www.redcross.org.nz/support-us/our-current-appeals/new-zealand-disaster-fund/