'Like vultures': call for calm before storm hits region

A long wait for sandbags has ended in frustration in a region bracing for a rare cyclone direct hit after people were accused of acting like “vultures”.

Authorities have called for calm before the storm, with panic buying also widespread in southeast Queensland ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s arrival.

The category two system is set to turn toward the southeast 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 southeast Queensland coast since 1974.

More sandbagging sites have opened across the region as people attempt to safeguard their homes, but Morningside local Matthew Formosa still couldn’t get his fill.

He tried to get sandbags twice on Monday night but after a 40 minute wait was turned away at the 24-hour depot.

Mr Formosa 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.

He was hoping to collect sandbags for his partner in Capalaba, south of Brisbane, who was worried flooding may inundate her home after a few near misses over the years.

“We’re just trying to prevent it if it does happen, but hopefully it’ll blow away,” he said of Alfred.

About 100,000 sandbags have been collected in the past three days in Brisbane alone as it bunkers down for Alfred.

Rainfall and strong wind gusts have begun ahead of the cyclone expected to make landfall between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane on Thursday evening or Friday morning.

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.

The worst of Alfred’s impact once it makes landfall will hit the state’s southern flank, including Brisbane, 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.”