Heartbreaking photos show how an Aussie town is struggling to feed residents
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These days, with technology playing an ever-important role in our lives, we often take for granted the convenience of being able to buy just about anything we need with the click of a button.
Unfortunately, sometimes we're reminded of just how much our lives can be disrupted by mother nature when disasters strike.
The residents of a small town in Far North Queensland have been dealt with one of these harsh realities recently, as they've been left without access to essential groceries due to record-breaking floods.
Shocking images have emerged showing the state of supermarket shelves in Mount Isa, with fridges completely cleared of fresh produce due to heavy rainfalls and numerous flooded roads in the area over the past week.
The impacts of the flooding, however, are much deeper than just the lack of groceries on the shelves. People are being kept from their homes due to safety concerns, and there are even crocodile sightings.
Many have labelled the situation a 'crisis' and have recognised that it's an all-too-painful reminder of just how quickly our lives can change.
'Wow, that’s crazy, looks like you’ve gone back to pandemic lockdowns with bare shelves,' one person observed after seeing the emptier-than-usual shelves.
On Tuesday night, trucks delivering supplies to the town were able to begin making their way back, with a Coles spokesperson informing a news source that some supplies had managed to make it to the store.
Woolworths also released a statement that their Mount Isa store had received several deliveries in the last 24 hours, including a range of meat, poultry, dairy, fruit, and veg.
Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the ongoing floods continue to cause disruptions, with Queensland Police warning people to keep from the water and movement to 'essential matters only'.
Emergency workers are currently working hard to get people back to their homes as soon as safely possible, but the Albert River is still expected to remain above major flood levels until at least the end of the week.
Mount Isa District Disaster Coordination Centre's senior sergeant, Adrian Rieck, revealed that planning is underway to safely return residents to their homes in the coming days. The Local Disaster Management Group and emergency services are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community and provide the necessary support.
It's heartening to see that Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) are completing Rapid Damage Assessments (RDAs) to ensure that the area and infrastructure are safe for residents to return to.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is also preparing to deploy to Burketown, offering social support to the affected communities.
This crisis is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change and how vulnerable communities can be when cut off from resources.
For those living in flood-affected areas, it's important to prioritise safety and only move around when absolutely necessary. The safety of yourself and your loved ones should always come first, and taking precautions such as following evacuation orders and avoiding flooded roads can make all the difference.
Members, have you ever experienced something like this in your own local area? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. It's important to come together as a community during times of crisis, and by sharing our stories, we can offer support and solidarity to those affected by similar situations.
Unfortunately, sometimes we're reminded of just how much our lives can be disrupted by mother nature when disasters strike.
The residents of a small town in Far North Queensland have been dealt with one of these harsh realities recently, as they've been left without access to essential groceries due to record-breaking floods.
Shocking images have emerged showing the state of supermarket shelves in Mount Isa, with fridges completely cleared of fresh produce due to heavy rainfalls and numerous flooded roads in the area over the past week.
The impacts of the flooding, however, are much deeper than just the lack of groceries on the shelves. People are being kept from their homes due to safety concerns, and there are even crocodile sightings.
Many have labelled the situation a 'crisis' and have recognised that it's an all-too-painful reminder of just how quickly our lives can change.
'Wow, that’s crazy, looks like you’ve gone back to pandemic lockdowns with bare shelves,' one person observed after seeing the emptier-than-usual shelves.
On Tuesday night, trucks delivering supplies to the town were able to begin making their way back, with a Coles spokesperson informing a news source that some supplies had managed to make it to the store.
Woolworths also released a statement that their Mount Isa store had received several deliveries in the last 24 hours, including a range of meat, poultry, dairy, fruit, and veg.
Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the ongoing floods continue to cause disruptions, with Queensland Police warning people to keep from the water and movement to 'essential matters only'.
Emergency workers are currently working hard to get people back to their homes as soon as safely possible, but the Albert River is still expected to remain above major flood levels until at least the end of the week.
Mount Isa District Disaster Coordination Centre's senior sergeant, Adrian Rieck, revealed that planning is underway to safely return residents to their homes in the coming days. The Local Disaster Management Group and emergency services are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the community and provide the necessary support.
It's heartening to see that Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) are completing Rapid Damage Assessments (RDAs) to ensure that the area and infrastructure are safe for residents to return to.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is also preparing to deploy to Burketown, offering social support to the affected communities.
Key Takeaways
- Photos reveal the stark situation facing residents in Queensland’s Far North, where entire towns have been cut off by floodwaters.
- Supermarket stocks of fruit, vegetables, milk and meat have been cleared out as truck supply is hindered.
- There is speculation of panic buying and criticism of shoppers for buying in excess.
- Woolworths and Coles are working to get operations moving with plans in place to resupply the local store when access is made available.
This crisis is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change and how vulnerable communities can be when cut off from resources.
For those living in flood-affected areas, it's important to prioritise safety and only move around when absolutely necessary. The safety of yourself and your loved ones should always come first, and taking precautions such as following evacuation orders and avoiding flooded roads can make all the difference.
Members, have you ever experienced something like this in your own local area? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. It's important to come together as a community during times of crisis, and by sharing our stories, we can offer support and solidarity to those affected by similar situations.