People have been accused of acting like “vultures” as South-East Queensland braces for a cyclone to hit for the first time in 50 years.
Authorities have called for calm before the storm, with panic buying also widespread ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s arrival.
The category two system is set to turn towards the coast on Tuesday and impact landfall in the coming days, triggering destructive winds, heavy rainfall and flooding.
It will mark the first time a cyclone has hit the South-East Queensland coast since 1974.
More than a dozen sandbagging sites have opened across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa council areas, and more sandbags are on the way as people attempt to safeguard their homes, but both sand and bags have been in short supply.
For sandbag pick-up locations in the Sunshine Coast Council area click here, and for the Noosa Council area click here.
“The SES has so far distributed more than 40,000 sandbags to our community,” Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said.
“There is a supply of about 30,000 bags in the region and another 80,000 sandbags are on the way – with multiple operational sites actively distributing them.
“We thank you for your patience as we continue to top up resources at multiple locations.
“Please be assured we have trucks delivering sand throughout today and tomorrow.
“You can collect them or fill sandbags yourself. Sandbags are a simple and effective way to help reduce the impact of flooding and protect your property.”
Councillor Taylor Bunnag posted on social media on Tuesday morning that the Coolum site had hit problems.
“I just visited the Coolum SES depot and the team there are out of sand,” he posted.
People also posted on community notice boards to share their frustrations.
“A friend lined up at Headland Golf Club only to find they had run out of sandbags,” one said.
Another said of the Caloundra SES depot site: “The delivery of sand was gone in 15 minutes with no idea when another load might arrive.”
Noosa Council was asking people to only take sandbags if they were really needed.
“Sand and sandbags will be continually replenished over the next few days. Please only take sandbags if required – such as living in low-lying areas that have previously flooded,” it said.
In Brisbane, Matthew Formosa tried to get sandbags twice on Monday night but after a 40-minute wait was turned away at the 24-hour Morningside depot.
He returned at 5am on Tuesday hoping to beat the rush but still had to wait almost three hours to collect just eight bags.
“There was no real order in getting the sandbags it is just like, once they have dumped there everyone is like vultures,” he told AAP.
Mr Formosa was told on Tuesday there was a two-hour wait as sand had run out at the depot.
He criticised the lack of support staff to help the elderly load sandbags into their cars.
“Seeing older people carrying a bag and struggling, it just has to be an easier way for them to help them out,” he said.
About 100,000 sandbags have been collected in the past three days in Brisbane as it bunkers down for Alfred.
Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare in some stores as locals brace for impact, prompting a call for calm.
Sunshine Coast Police Superintendent Craig Hawkins said there were no supply issues and no need to panic buy ahead of the cyclone’s arrival.
“Get what you need but be respectful of others who also need supplies to get through this,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
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The worst of Alfred’s impact once it makes landfall is expected to hit the state’s southern flank, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and NSW’s Northern Rivers.
Beaches and university campuses have closed, ferry services have stopped and Gold Coast theme parks are set to shut down from Wednesday as Alfred looms.
Emergency services, telco providers and Energex crews have bolstered the region.
“Today’s a really, really key day for everyone … today’s the day that we’ve got to get those logistics right so I’m asking people to take it seriously,” Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told ABC Radio Brisbane on Tuesday.
Heavy rainfall of up to 400mm is forecast this week leading to widespread flooding in southeast Queensland and NSW’s northeast.
NSW’s Northern Rivers is again in the firing line three years after flooding claimed five lives and destroyed homes.
“Obviously those communities have already gone through massive amounts of flooding in recent years,” NSW Premier Chris Minns told ABC.
“This is the last thing that they want to hear but we are asking them to be prepared … for the worst and hope for the best.”
