- Published on
By Etsuko Yasunaga
WE WERE warned. This storm would be one of the most severe and damaging ones in the recent years. I saw many flood and gust damage warnings issued around Gippsland on the forecast a few days prior. I thought I’d better squeeze in a few more kilometres on my bike and walking before the storm hit, otherwise I may not be able to exercise for a while. I was resigned to a few quiet days with a good book at home.
Luckily the predicted heavy rainfall didn’t eventuate in Inverloch on Wednesday. I managed to exercise in between the showers, and it was invigorating to go out in the wild weather. However the horrendous wind got to me in the end. I don’t like wind. Harrowing wind unsettles and disturbs me. I feel my mind can’t focus adequately. It gets agitated easily and goes wild like a fallen leaf trembling.
WE WERE warned. This storm would be one of the most severe and damaging ones in the recent years. I saw many flood and gust damage warnings issued around Gippsland on the forecast a few days prior. I thought I’d better squeeze in a few more kilometres on my bike and walking before the storm hit, otherwise I may not be able to exercise for a while. I was resigned to a few quiet days with a good book at home.
Luckily the predicted heavy rainfall didn’t eventuate in Inverloch on Wednesday. I managed to exercise in between the showers, and it was invigorating to go out in the wild weather. However the horrendous wind got to me in the end. I don’t like wind. Harrowing wind unsettles and disturbs me. I feel my mind can’t focus adequately. It gets agitated easily and goes wild like a fallen leaf trembling.
We enjoyed dinner and just relaxed into the couch to catch up on the news on ABC. We could hear wind was increasing its velocity and the lights started to flicker. We lost TV signals for a few times then the power was out. The darkness hit us suddenly. By relying on the lights from our phones, we quickly gathered torches, candles and a cigarette lighter to light them. I thought the power would be back in a few hours though. I was glad that I’d already had my evening shower. Rob and I briefly went outside to check our neighbourhood in the terrifying wind. The streets were completely dark. Once or twice the street light in front of our house came back on for a few seconds then went out again. At the same time a bright white light flashed like thunder storm lightning. After the excitement of going out in the wild weather I checked a newsfeed briefly to see how others were managing this power outage. The phone was still working. I thought to myself ‘Read for a while then early to bed tonight’ and that’s what we did. When I briefly woke up during the night I turned on my bed side lamp switch but it didn’t work at all.
ABC Gippsland radio reported massive floods in Traralgon the following morning. We also learned that the restoration could take more than 24 hours. Furthermore we didn’t have phone reception any more. Then ABC radio and 3MFM went off air as well. We were completely cut off and had no way of getting information. Unlike other parts of Inverloch where there were intermittent supplies of electricity, our side of the town went completely without power for over 38 hours. The most difficult part was not having an access to correct information and not knowing when the power would be back. For a mind that likes to figure things out and plan ahead, it was certainly a challenging time. To keep my morale up I continued on with my regular exercise. Luckily the weather improved and by lunch time the horrific wind died down. I rode my bike to the rotunda to get a data access for just briefly but lost it again shortly after.
ABC Gippsland radio reported massive floods in Traralgon the following morning. We also learned that the restoration could take more than 24 hours. Furthermore we didn’t have phone reception any more. Then ABC radio and 3MFM went off air as well. We were completely cut off and had no way of getting information. Unlike other parts of Inverloch where there were intermittent supplies of electricity, our side of the town went completely without power for over 38 hours. The most difficult part was not having an access to correct information and not knowing when the power would be back. For a mind that likes to figure things out and plan ahead, it was certainly a challenging time. To keep my morale up I continued on with my regular exercise. Luckily the weather improved and by lunch time the horrific wind died down. I rode my bike to the rotunda to get a data access for just briefly but lost it again shortly after.
When I learned this power outage was going to be a long haul I had to shift my mind set. I decided to regard it as an unplanned camping trip. At least we had gas cook top, and we rugged up to keep ourselves warm in the evening. I cooked beef rendang for dinner. I have bookmarked the recipe on my phone but couldn’t access it. Without being able to retrieve the details I had to follow instinct and trust my ability to improvise. I remembered certain ingredients - star anise, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. I didn’t have every ingredient so substituted where I could. I started with garlic, ginger and chili spice paste and the rest flowed easily. Instead of relying on the recipe I just trusted my taste buds and added extra flavours as I went. I enjoyed the whole process very much. Although it was bit runny as I forgot to add toasted coconut, it turned out to be a good beef rending. We enjoyed an early candlelight dinner immensely.
As a hot shower was no option I decided to have a quick wipe before I went to bed. I boiled water and poured the hot water into a small bowl then soaked a face towel. I wrung it out much like the hand towels we are given when we board an international flight. I wiped my face, neck, arms and other parts of my body to freshen up. It’s simple but very effective. This act brought me back fond memories of trekking in Nepal in 2003. A tub of hot water and a hand towel prepared and brought by porters in the mornings was definitely one of the luxuries on trekking in Nepal. At least here we still had a water supply.
I felt like having a bowl of porridge on Friday morning. I needed nourishment and warmth. Porridge making is usually mechanical by measuring the ingredients then popping into the microwave. I wait until it has the right consistency to my liking. The whole process is passive but I had to cook it on the stove top on that morning. While gently stirring the creamy grains, I realised I was actively involved in the process of preparing my breakfast intently from the beginning to the end. I poured more milk and stirred the organic honey I was given from my friend in to the piping hot porridge. It was delicious.
Later, I was in the middle of shifting food from the freezer to our camper fridge. We had disciplined ourselves not to open fridge and freezer doors to keep it cool inside so that we didn’t waste food. If the power cut were to continue it was time to act. Then the power came on! I couldn’t deny the sense of relief. Combined with the recent lockdowns there were many cancellations in my diary – sport massage, hair cut, singing session and Covid vaccination as at the GP clinic they couldn’t save vaccine due to the power cut. I could easily reschedule them though.
In the scheme of the things it was a minor inconvenience our household had to endure. It was certainly a great eye opener to learn how heavily our lives depend on electricity and we all take it for granted. I also learned that how resilient and ingenious we could be. In that sense it was the best camping trip I’ve ever had.
We were lucky. Ours was a minor disruption compared to others who are still suffering and will for some time to come. Our hearts reach out to those businesses, farms, the elderly and others. We genuinely hope for a swift recovery and a return to normality.
As a hot shower was no option I decided to have a quick wipe before I went to bed. I boiled water and poured the hot water into a small bowl then soaked a face towel. I wrung it out much like the hand towels we are given when we board an international flight. I wiped my face, neck, arms and other parts of my body to freshen up. It’s simple but very effective. This act brought me back fond memories of trekking in Nepal in 2003. A tub of hot water and a hand towel prepared and brought by porters in the mornings was definitely one of the luxuries on trekking in Nepal. At least here we still had a water supply.
I felt like having a bowl of porridge on Friday morning. I needed nourishment and warmth. Porridge making is usually mechanical by measuring the ingredients then popping into the microwave. I wait until it has the right consistency to my liking. The whole process is passive but I had to cook it on the stove top on that morning. While gently stirring the creamy grains, I realised I was actively involved in the process of preparing my breakfast intently from the beginning to the end. I poured more milk and stirred the organic honey I was given from my friend in to the piping hot porridge. It was delicious.
Later, I was in the middle of shifting food from the freezer to our camper fridge. We had disciplined ourselves not to open fridge and freezer doors to keep it cool inside so that we didn’t waste food. If the power cut were to continue it was time to act. Then the power came on! I couldn’t deny the sense of relief. Combined with the recent lockdowns there were many cancellations in my diary – sport massage, hair cut, singing session and Covid vaccination as at the GP clinic they couldn’t save vaccine due to the power cut. I could easily reschedule them though.
In the scheme of the things it was a minor inconvenience our household had to endure. It was certainly a great eye opener to learn how heavily our lives depend on electricity and we all take it for granted. I also learned that how resilient and ingenious we could be. In that sense it was the best camping trip I’ve ever had.
We were lucky. Ours was a minor disruption compared to others who are still suffering and will for some time to come. Our hearts reach out to those businesses, farms, the elderly and others. We genuinely hope for a swift recovery and a return to normality.
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The 'civilisation' we have built is not very resilient is it?
No power/light,/heat, no petrol, no ATMs, fouled water, no phone to call for help, no internet and uncertainty about what is happening. It doesn't take long for things to fall into chaos. Is there a Disaster Plan somewhere?
However I feel for all the vulnerable ones out there. I have my little battery operated and yes also a windup radio to tune in to updates. I purchased that a couple of years ago because of our high fire risk.
it was a very special moment to meet you again at the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction launch for 2021 and the launch of the book.
You are a great and sensitive writer of Non-fiction so please apply for the 2021 BCPFNF with closing date of 14th September 2021.
Warm Regards, Phyllis
Ebony