Supermarket shelves empty as northern NSW residents brace for Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Bread, eggs, milk, toilet paper and water are in short supply as Cyclone Alfred makes its way towards towns on the border.

Supermarket shelves across northern NSW have been stripped of bottled water, toilet paper, bread, milk, eggs and other necessities ahead of Cyclone Alfred making landfall in NSW later this week.

Shoppers descended on major retailers on Tuesday to stock up on essentials as shops in smaller towns were cleared out.

Amid the panic, Woolworths confirmed it will be enforcing temporary purchasing limits on bulk water.

One woman from Evans Head said she travelled to Lismore Square Woolworths to find supplies as the only IGA in her hometown was “out of stock”.

Fearing they will face days without power and be cut off by flooding – like during the 2022 floods – many have turned to buying back-up power generators.

Outbax Generators reported an immediate 100 per cent spike in sales compared to this time last year across the Northern Rivers area, while generator purchases have jumped by 150 per cent above the border.

The rush on supplies was slammed by NSW Premier Chris Minns, who on Tuesday said there “was no reason” for Northern Rivers communities to panic buy as shelves empty across the region.

Bread stocks at Lismore Woolworths. Picture: Glenno Hargs

Supermarket shelves are emptying as northern NSW residents brace for the fury of tropical cyclone Alfred. Picture: Glenno Hargs

“What will happen if you take everything off the shelves is that you’re not going to leave enough for your neighbours and your friends and other people in the community,” Mr Minns said.

“We’ve got good logistics and supply contingencies in place in the worst case scenario … But obviously people should just use some common sense, and also think about your community rather than clearing the shelves.”

Mr Minns said the Northern Rivers community had “gone through hell” in recent years between floods and storm damage, but asked residents to remain calm.

Supermarket shelves are emptying as northern NSW residents brace for the fury of tropical cyclone Alfred. Picture: Glenno Hargs

Supermarket giant Coles confirmed it had ramped up its order volumes for essential items and put on extra staff as customers stock up ahead of Cyclone Alfred.

A Woolworths spokesperson said stores across the Sunshine Coast, south-east Queensland and northern rivers regions of NSW are continuing to receive stock and stores will remain open.

“We’re increasing the amount of key products such as pasta, rice, soup, nappies, baby food and formula, milk, and frozen vegetables being sent to stores,” the spokesperson said.

“Additional supplies of water, bread and other pantry essentials are also being delivered to our Brisbane Regional Distribution Centre, which will then be sent to stores across the regions.
However, to ensure everyone has “fair access to essentials”, Woolworths has placed temporary limits on bulk water, limiting customers to two packs per transaction.

This includes: 24x600ml packs, 6x 1.5l packs, 20x500ml packs, 10lt bottles and 5l bottles.

A Coles spokesman said one of its largest distribution bases in Brisbane was well equipped to handle the increase in demand.

“We have extra deliveries on the roads already, with a focus on boosting our supply of meat, milk, bread, water, canned goods, baby formula and toilet paper,” the spokesman said.

“We have plenty of stock in our supply chain, and so we just ask that customers shop as they normally would and be patient with our hard-working team members as they keep our shelves stocked.”