Cyclone Amy

My name is Amy, and I live with my mum and dad in Darwin, Northern Territory. We’ve had our fair share of wild weather, but nothing prepared me for what was about to happen. It was just another hot afternoon, and I was lounging in my room, daydreaming about my upcoming birthday party. My best friends, Nina and Becky, were coming over, and I could hardly wait! Suddenly, my dad burst into my room, looking serious. “Amy, we need to get ready. There’s a cyclone headed our way.” I sat up straight, my heart racing. “A cyclone? What do we do?” Dad took a deep breath. “First, we need to make sure we have our emergency kit ready. We need food, water, and supplies in case the power goes out. We should also fill the bathtub with water for drinking and flushing toilets.” I quickly jumped up and helped him gather the supplies. We packed bottled water, canned food, a first aid kit, and some blankets into our emergency bag. I grabbed my portable radio, just in case we needed to listen for updates. Mum came in with a worried expression. “The news says we should expect strong winds and heavy rain. It’s best to stay indoors and keep away from windows. We’ll ride this out together as a family.”

“Can Nina and Becky come over?” I asked, hoping to have my friends nearby. Mum nodded. “That sounds like a good idea. It’ll be safer for them here. Call them and let them know.” I quickly dialled their number. “Nina! Can you and Becky come over? There’s a cyclone coming!” I said when she answered. “Okay, we’ll hurry!” Nina replied, and I could hear excitement and a little fear in her voice. It didn’t take long for them to arrive, and soon we were all in the living room, playing games and telling stories to distract ourselves from the weather outside. The wind howled, and rain pelted the roof, making it sound like a drumroll. As we played, Dad reminded us to stay alert. “If the power goes out, we’ll light some candles and keep the radio on. We need to stay updated about the cyclone.”

Hours passed, and just as we were starting to feel a little anxious, the power went out. “It’s okay, everyone!” Dad called out. “Let’s keep calm. We’ve got our emergency kit and supplies.” We lit some candles and gathered in a circle. I could see my friends’ faces flickering in the candlelight. “This is like camping!” Becky said, trying to lighten the mood. “Yeah, except we’re stuck inside,” Nina added with a giggle. But even though we were having fun, I couldn’t shake the worry about what was happening outside. Suddenly, the radio crackled to life, and the emergency announcer’s voice filled the room. “Cyclone warnings remain in effect. Stay indoors and shelter well clear of windows.” Dad turned to us. “That means we’re doing everything right. We’re safe here.” Just then, the wind picked up, and I could hear branches snapping outside. I squeezed Bill, my teddy bear, tightly. I had never been this scared before. “What if the cyclone gets worse?” I whispered. Mum knelt beside me and smiled gently. “Remember, we’re prepared, and we’re together. That makes all the difference. Cyclones can be scary, but if we follow safety guidelines, we’ll be alright.” As the night wore on, we shared stories and played games, listening to the wind howling outside. I started to feel a little braver. I knew that my family and friends were there for me, and we were handling this storm together.

When morning finally came, the winds calmed, and the rain turned into a gentle drizzle. We carefully peeked outside to find fallen branches and scattered debris, but our home was safe. Dad checked the radio for updates. “The cyclone has passed, and we’re in the clear. We can go outside now!” We all cheered and raced to the door. I looked at my friends, who were smiling back at me. “We did it!” I exclaimed. “We survived our first cyclone!” As we stepped outside, I realised that even though cyclones can be frightening, being prepared and staying together made it manageable. We helped each other through the night, and now, with the sun shining, it felt like a new beginning. From that day on, I understood that even in the face of nature’s fury, the power of friendship and family could get you through anything. I was ready for whatever came next, and I knew I’d always be prepared, just like my mum and dad taught me.