IGA stores in Woree and Redlynch to remain open as Coles and Woolies announce closures ahead of Cyclone Jasper

A Cairns supermarket owner who has sold more than 17,000 bottles of water since the announcement of Cyclone Jasper has revealed when stocks are likely to be replenished.

A Cairns supermarket owner has revealed 17,000 bottles of water have been bought by customers since the announcement of Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Paul Short, owner of three IGA stores in Cairns, said 10 pallets of water had been sold in the last few days as each day got progressively busier with bread, milk, torches and noodles flying off the shelves.

“We haven’t had too much of a problem but bread has been an issue - we have some, but not a range,” Mr Short said.

“Earliest we will get more stock is Thursday.”

Since bread was baked and trucked across from Townsville and orders for other supplies came via train, no deliveries could be expected until the storm passed, he said.

The little that was available on shelves was all there was until his double orders came in on Thursday or latest Friday, he said.

“We are open regular hours today and our plan is to stay open normal hours tomorrow as well,” he said.

Paul Short, owner of three IGA supermarkets in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Even if there is an evacuation order, we may only stay closed a couple of hours.

“Prediction is lunch time is when it will be worst so if we won’t be open then, we will resume operations later in the evening.”

Both Woolworths and Coles have announced closures from 5pm today through all of Wednesday in the Cairns region ahead of Cyclone Jasper’s landfall.

Woolies stores in Mossman, Smithfield, Redlynch, Raintrees, Cairns Central, Cairns Abbott Street, Earlville, Mount Sheridan, Gordonvale and Innisfail shut their doors at 5pm today.

On Wednesday, Woolworths Atherton and Woolworths Mission Beach will also be closed.

Woolworths Weipa and Ingham will continue to operate normal trading hours at this point in time.

A Woolworths spokesperson said conditions would be assessed on Thursday to reopen stores if it is safe to do so.

“We’ve brought forward deliveries to get stock into stores ahead of time, and we’re building up supplies of essentials at key distribution hubs so they’re ready to go after the cyclone,” the spokesperson said.

Stock images of milk at the supermarket. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Back-up generators are on their way to all our stores in the path of the storm as we prepare for potential power outages.”

A Coles spokesperson confirmed all Coles supermarkets, and liquor stores in Cairns, Port Douglas, Mareeba and Innisfail will close at 5pm Tuesday, and remain closed on Wednesday.

Coles Online will also stop deliveries today, and will resume Thursday afternoon at the earliest.

“Over the past couple of days we have been working to ensure we have extra supply of essentials such as water, bread, rice, canned vegetables and toilet paper,” the spokesperson said.

“We have some deliveries of essentials coming in tonight, along with extra deliveries scheduled for Thursday to replenish our stores with produce and other essential products.”

Originally published as IGA stores in Woree and Redlynch to remain open as Coles and Woolies announce closures ahead of Cyclone Jasper