Australian actress Madeleine West has opened up about the emotional and physical toll of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which has wreaked havoc on her $4.6 million home in Byron Bay. The 45-year-old star, who is heavily pregnant, shared her experience on Instagram, expressing fear and exhaustion as she braced for the storm’s impact.
A Different Kind of International Women’s Day
West marked International Women’s Day differently this year, posting a photo of her baby bump alongside a heartfelt message about the struggles she faced. Dressed in a pink floral dress, she reflected on the devastation of the cyclone, saying, “Seeking shelter and anticipating that this could be a repeat of the #2020 floods.”
The actress voiced her concerns about the storm’s aftermath, wondering whether her home would be submerged again. “No power, a fridge full of spoiled food. Fear. Exhaustion. An aching back from shifting valuables to safety,” she wrote.
Community Strength in Times of Crisis
Despite the hardship, West took a moment to acknowledge the resilience of women facing even greater challenges worldwide. “This International Women’s Day, there were no long lunches, no purple balloons, no inspiring keynote addresses. Just an incredible coalition of women and men doing everything they can to help each other. I’m so grateful,” she added.
West purchased her Suffolk Park home in 2022, and this is not the first time she has experienced extreme weather in the region. Last week, she admitted to feeling “terrified” of the approaching cyclone, confessing, “I don’t feel brave, fearless, or resilient. I feel small, concerned, and a bit scared.”
Looking Back at Past Natural Disasters
The former Neighbours star also posted a throwback photo from 2022, showing her helping in the cleanup efforts of the devastating Northern NSW floods. “Stay safe everyone. No matter what happens, we’ve done it before, we will do it again,” she reassured her followers.
Jesinta Franklin Shares Her Experience
Meanwhile, fellow Byron Bay resident and model Jesinta Franklin shared her own experience with the cyclone. Posting a series of Instagram Stories, Franklin revealed that her Gold Coast mansion lost power, leaving her and her family to improvise with candlelight and a generator-powered TV. “The rain is so intense. Heavy and relentless. Check in on your mates… the cleanup is gonna be a big one,” she wrote.
Evacuations and Makeshift Living Arrangements
Franklin, 33, also shared how she had taken in eight extra family members who had been evacuated ahead of the cyclone. “No power, TV being run off a generator (priorities ha), and pea and ham soup and homemade bread baked on the barbecue,” she wrote, highlighting the improvisations made to endure the storm.
The Aftermath and Recovery Efforts
Although Franklin’s home remained undamaged, she acknowledged that many others were not as fortunate. “We have honestly been so lucky. There is zero damage to our home, everyone we know and love is safe. But that isn’t everyone’s reality, and there’s a lot of damage to so many homes,” she said.
As the cleanup begins across Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW, both West and Franklin continue to send messages of support to their communities. With the region still reeling from the cyclone’s devastation, the focus remains on recovery and resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
Climate Change and the Increasing Severity of Storms
Experts have warned that extreme weather events such as Cyclone Alfred are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Scientists point to rising ocean temperatures as a key factor in the increased intensity of tropical cyclones, with Byron Bay and other coastal communities likely to face similar challenges in the future.
Calls for Government Action and Support
Local authorities and relief organizations are now working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide aid to affected communities. Calls for increased government funding for disaster preparedness and climate resilience have grown louder, with many urging immediate action to prevent further devastation in vulnerable areas.
The Path Forward
For now, residents of Byron Bay and surrounding areas are focusing on rebuilding and supporting one another. Stories of neighbors helping each other, volunteers stepping up, and communities rallying together highlight the resilience of Australians in times of crisis. While the road to recovery will be long, the collective strength and determination of those affected offer hope for a brighter future.
