After ex-Cyclone Alfred lashed south-east Queensland, the reopening of the Woolworths store in Keperra, where staff worked to restock shelves amid strong winds, highlighted the community’s efforts to return to normal, even as widespread panic buying left many supermarkets stripped of essential supplies.
Store Reopening and Community Response
The Woolworths store in Keperra reopened its doors to the public after authorities deemed it safe for employees to return to work. A video shared online showed an employee, Emily, announcing the reopening, noting that the store had sustained minimal damage and power had been restored. She explained that the team was working hard to replenish stock, asking for patience to get essential items back on the shelves.
Woolworths confirmed that many of its stores across Queensland and northern New South Wales were also reopening following safety assessments. The company also stated that iPhoto Credit: Google Mapt had sent over 300 truckloads of supplies from its Brisbane distribution centres to stores in the affected areas.
The video, however, drew attention online, with many people commenting on the employee’s scripted delivery and the windy conditions. Some viewers commented light-heartedly about her well-being, while others criticised her for reading from a script. Woolworths acknowledged the hard work of its team members in difficult conditions to serve the community.
Panic Buying and Supply Shortages
In the lead-up to the cyclone, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli advised residents to prepare for potential power and water outages, leading to widespread panic buying. Supermarkets across the region reported a surge in demand for essential items such as bottled water, batteries, and radios.
Bottled water was sold out at Coles in Westfield Carindale and Woolworths in Kenmore and Morningside. Staff at Coles in Cannon Hill confirmed that their stock of bottled water was gone by early morning, and Woolworths staff noted that toilet paper and some meat products were also selling rapidly.
Retailers struggled to keep up with the demand for radios, with JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, and Big W stores in the city reporting they had sold out. Bunnings stores also experienced shortages of battery-operated radios.
The Premier acknowledged the panic buying, stating that it was understandable for people to prepare for the worst. He urged supermarkets to restock their shelves quickly and reminded residents to prepare important documents, have tinned food on hand, and secure loose outdoor items.
Government and Emergency Response
The Premier stressed the potential for significant flooding due to heavy rainfall in saturated catchments, and urged residents to take warnings seriously. Brisbane residents also flocked to council and State Emergency Service depots to collect sandbags. Generators were sent to Moreton Bay island communities, where residents faced decisions on whether to stay or evacuate.
Coles also released a statement saying all its stores had reopened but that it was still struggling with product availability and that online orders would be affected. It asked for patience and recommended that online users use the substitution option when ordering online.
Published Date 12-March-2025
