The owner of the Lismore App, Simon Mumford, worked tirelessly during the cyclone to ensure the Lismore community was well informed.
When severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck South East Queensland and the New South Wales North Coast, the Lismore community faced yet another significant challenge, reminiscent of the devastating floods that struck the region in 2022.
As the cyclone’s torrential rain risked severe flooding, residents needed accurate and timely information to navigate the potential crisis.
Hyper-local news and information publisher, The Lismore App, proved to be an indispensable resource, distributing crucial and timely updates via its mobile app and web app channels.
“The focus was always to give our readers all the necessary information to stay safe and understand the situation at any given moment,” Lismore App owner Simon Mumford said.
“I find that a lot of agencies … want you to follow their Facebook pages. When you have a lot of information going through those channels, it can get lost quite easily.
“So, I wanted to be a platform where people could get all the information on one site.”
Record-breaking engagement reflects community trust
The Lismore App’s impact during the 10-day crisis (March 1-10) was extraordinary. More than 80,000 readers turned to the local news source, generating a staggering 251,000 reader sessions – averaging 25,000 per day, with a peak of 37,040 sessions on Saturday, March 8 (Lismore’s population is 42,000).
In total, the Lismore App recorded an impressive 1.11 million page views, demonstrating the immense value it provided to the community.
One of the most remarkable statistics was that 79 percent of reader sessions were from direct access, showcasing the deep loyalty and trust that the Lismore community places in its local publisher.
Mobile app readers were especially engaged, averaging 11.93 reader sessions in the 10-day period, and spending an average of 26 minutes interacting with the content. In a time of crisis, this level of engagement underscores how vital the platform has become.
Simon said a big benefit of the iAppNetwork software is the ability to push notifications to the mobile app and web app.
“I would have pushed six to seven times a day. There was no limit. If I felt my readers needed to know the information, I would push,” Simon said.
A Lifeline for Local News and Emergency Updates
Access to trusted, real-time information is always important, but during an emergency, it becomes critical. The Lismore App filled this gap during Cyclone Alfred, providing up-to-the-minute updates on evacuations, road closures, emergency services, and government advisories.
Simon said he has received a lot of encouraging feedback.
“I feel I must congratulate you on the way you kept us all so well informed during this recent weather event. Every day we received updates, good sensible information and necessary contacts. Sometimes we take things for granted, but I just couldn’t not take the opportunity to say a big thank you not only for the information on the Cyclone Alfred event but for all the good work you continually do for our community. Much appreciated.”
– Lismore App reader Kathy McQuire.
“Anecdotally, people would randomly compliment us on the street,” Simon said.
“Even our Greens Senator said we did a great job of the coverage following a news conference with the Premier. This is an exercise in building TRUST in your brand, and is worth the 16-18 hour days, as well as being an integral part of the community.”
Tech platform performs well
The Lismore App uses the iAppNetwork platform as its tech stack and Simon said it performed “really well”.
“I had a loading issue once, but [iAppNetwork] responded quickly and it was sorted through a laptop reboot,” he said.
Owner of the iAppNetwork Tony O’Regan said the platform easily managed the huge traffic spike.
“We see a surge in usage in disaster situations and the efficient functioning of the infrastructure is critical to local operators and their communities,” Tony said.
“Simon did an amazing job and his readership was extraordinary. The platform did what it is designed to do.”
A community’s digital anchor
The Lismore App has once again proven its role as an essential part of the city’s infrastructure.
By originating and distributing local news via its mobile and web app platforms, it ensured that Lismore residents had immediate access to trusted, life-saving information during Cyclone Alfred.
As the community begins the recovery process, the Lismore App’s performance during the cyclone highlights the growing necessity of dedicated local news platforms. The loyalty and engagement of its readers demonstrate that in times of crisis, The Lismore App is more than just a news source – it is a lifeline.
PHOTO: Lismore App