Carindale, Queensland, AUSTRALIA – Queenslanders are sitting ducks as we wait for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
News of the Category Two cyclone arrived early this week and citizens of Brisbane, Redlands and Gold Coast regions, as well as several other locations, are madly prepping for impact.
Local grocery stores Coles and Woolworths are running out of stock fast before they close on Thursday.
Some Queenslanders are panic buying and the shelves are emptying, with many citizens likening it to the pandemic.
“It’s like covid again, everyone is stocking up on food and water, definitely water,” said Teresa Scodellaro of High Gate Hill.
While the cyclone is bad news for most, it is considered good news for some of the students in the affected areas as school is shutting for both Thursday and Friday this week.
Several students from San Sisto College said that they feel very good about the extended weekend, but some are a bit apprehensive about the time off.
Maya Aldred from Faith Lutheran College said that it was a “bad time for school to shut,” as she is in the middle of the assessment period, as many students are.
While students are celebrating – or stressing – during this long weekend they, along with most everyone in the Southeast Queensland region, are preparing their houses for the cyclone.
Local hardware store Bunnings was overflowing with customers buying ropes to tie down outdoor furniture and sheds, as well as sandbags to protect their homes from the expected flash flooding.
With concerns about the main tap water supply shutting, locals are stocking up on water by filling any and all containers they have. They are also readying torches and emergency kits.
While the cyclone is yet to hit, Queenslanders are bracing themselves, with roads emptying and the sky turning grey and gloomy.
The common saying ‘the calm before the storm’ is exactly how to describe the situation in Queensland at the moment.
Emily Hilton is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
