Panic buying sets in at Hermit Park, Ingham as TC Kimi moves south

Panic buyers have already stripped shelves bare at some of the regions shopping centres as Tropical Cyclone Kimi moves further south.

PANIC buyers have already stripped shelves bare at some of the regions shopping centres as Tropical Cyclone Kimi moves further south.

Water and toilet paper was the hot item at Hermit Park Woolworths this afternoon, where plenty shoppers have flocked to stock up on items.

Shoppers stripped the shelves bare at Hermit Park Woolworths.

Customers at Ingham Woolworths had also bought almost every loaf of bread off the shelves.

TC Kimi is currently 250km north of Townsville. It’s moving south at 12km/h.

A few loaves of bread were left on the shelves at Ingham Woolworths today.

Tropical cyclone Kimi continues to move slowly southward and is likely to get closer to the coast later today. The system may intensify a little further to a category 2 system.

Based on the current forecast track, the cyclone may cross the coast overnight or Tuesday between about Innisfail and Lucinda, however there remains considerable uncertainty with the crossing time and location.

READ THE LATEST ON TC KIMI >>

• WARNING ZONE: NQ put on alert as cyclone moves south
• Tropical Cyclone Kimi shuts down Halo
• Hinchinbrook Shire Council says take TC Kimi seriously

Cardwell IGA has experienced a surge in demand as last-minute preppers stock up on staples.

“We have been really busy in here,” IGA’s Sai Dasaraj told the Cairns Post.

“We have already received today’s stock and we are selling out; people are stocking up on canned food, tissues, long life items.”

Originally published as Panic buying sets in at Hermit Park, Ingham as TC Kimi moves south