As Cyclone Alfred makes its way toward the Australian coastline, residents in its path are being warned to prepare for potential disruptions that could affect access to essential services. While the cyclone has been downgraded to a category one storm, concerns over power and network outages remain high. In such conditions, digital payment systems might become unreliable, leaving Australians vulnerable if they aren’t prepared.
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Brad Kelly, co-founder of the Independent Payments Forum (IPF), stressed the importance of keeping cash on hand in the event of network outages, especially for those in the hardest-hit areas. Kelly explained that although cashless payments have become the norm, cash still plays a crucial role during natural disasters.
In this article, we’ll explore why having emergency cash on hand is vital during times of disaster and how to prepare a survival kit to ensure you and your family are ready for Cyclone Alfred’s impact.
Why Cash Will Be King During Cyclone Alfred
While digital payment systems are widely used across Australia, they heavily rely on power and network connectivity. If these services go down during Cyclone Alfred, people could struggle to purchase essential items. In previous events, such as the Lismore floods, residents faced dire situations when ATMs were offline, leading to a helicopter-delivered cash drop just to allow people to pay for necessities.
“Cash will be king in the hardest-hit areas,” Kelly told Yahoo Finance, emphasizing that cash can still circulate even when digital payment systems fail. This was evident in northern NSW’s recent struggles, and experts are warning that a similar scenario could unfold with Cyclone Alfred.
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What to Do: Have Cash Ready
If you’re in an area likely to be affected by Cyclone Alfred, it’s advisable to withdraw enough cash now to cover essential expenses for a few days. Brad Kelly advises having at least a few hundred dollars on hand in case you can’t access funds through your usual payment methods.
Once the power goes down, ATMs go off, and card payment systems become unreliable. Even if payment terminals are still functional, they need to connect to a mobile network (e.g., Telstra or Optus) to process payments. If these systems are knocked out by the storm, digital transactions could be delayed or entirely unavailable.
Though many card terminals have backup systems to store transaction details temporarily, these systems are designed for short outages, not extended disruptions. With a prolonged network blackout, businesses and customers may find themselves in a situation where transactions cannot be processed until the network comes back online.
Why Your Card May Not Work During an Outage
When the network goes down, not only will your phone be affected, but card payment terminals will also struggle. These terminals rely on mobile networks to complete card transactions. If mobile services are disrupted, cards won’t be able to function as expected.
Payment systems have limited backup options for these types of outages, which means that transactions may get stuck in the system until services are restored. However, if you’re shopping during a prolonged outage, you may find yourself unable to complete purchases if the network isn’t back online in time.
Business owners also face a unique risk during such outages: they must trust that customers have enough funds in their accounts to cover the transaction once the network reconnects. This is why it is important to be prepared with cash in hand when heading out to buy essentials.
What to Include in Your Emergency Survival Kit
Besides cash, your survival kit should include other essentials to ensure your safety and comfort during the storm. Here’s a checklist of items that can help you stay prepared:
- A multi-day supply of non-perishable food for you, your family, and pets
- A personal water supply to stay hydrated
- A week’s worth of essential medications in case of medical emergencies
- Personal hygiene items (e.g., hand sanitiser, wet wipes)
- A clean set of clothing for different weather conditions
- Torches and spare batteries for light during power outages
- A battery-operated radio to stay informed of storm updates
- First aid kit with all necessary supplies
- A fully charged mobile phone and a backup power source (e.g., portable charger)
- Essential documents such as passports and birth certificates stored inside waterproof containers or plastic bags
Having these supplies on hand will give you peace of mind in case of an extended outage or disruption.
Key Takeaways: Prepare for Cyclone Alfred with Cash and a Survival Kit
Cyclone Alfred may cause widespread disruptions to power and mobile networks, making it difficult to rely on digital payments. With ATM services potentially offline, cash will be crucial for purchasing essentials. It’s advisable to withdraw enough cash now to tide you over in case of an emergency. Alongside cash, make sure you have a fully stocked survival kit that includes food, water, medications, and emergency tools to stay safe and comfortable during the storm.
Stay safe, and remember to prepare for the worst-case scenario, even if the storm doesn’t live up to its full potential.
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