Coles and Woolworths shelves empty as residents stock-up on groceries ahead of Cyclone Ilsa

Supermarket shelves across Western Australia’s Pilbara region have been stripped bare as residents prepare for Tropical Cyclone Ilsa to make landfall.

Photos from supermarkets between Port Hedland and Broome show Woolworths and Coles shelves emptied of fresh produce, meat and dairy ahead of the category 4 storm expected to hit later this week.

Pilbara ABC journalist Michelle Stanley shared a short video from a barren Woolworths’ meat aisle on Tuesday.

‘Thoughts and prayers for Port Hedland supermarket staff today,’ she tweeted alongside the clip.

‘Needless to say, the water aisle was also rather bare.’

One local joked ‘even the brown onion is gone’ from local shops (above)

The cyclone is forecast to make landfall between Port Hedland and Broome sometime from late Thursday to early Friday.

Winds generated by the massive system have already reached 140km/hr but could reach 200km/h by the time the cyclone reaches the coast.

The expected damage could see some communities cutoff from food and water supplies for several days.

However, Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter urged Pilbara residents to prioritise cyclone preparation over panic buying in a Facebook video.

‘The main thing is going to be flying debris around your house – your barbecue, outdoor setting, even your wheelie bin can become a missile in these winds,’ he said.

‘Make sure loose items around the house are put away safely.’

Concerned local Jennefer Morales shared her own photos of the stripped grocers, News.com.au reports.

‘Look at that guys. Everyone is getting ready for the cyclone. Oh god, even the brown onion is gone,’ she said.

Grocers have been emptied of fresh produce, meat and dairy (above) ahead of the cyclone’s expected arrival later this week

Both Coles and Woolworths spokespeople reassured customers that stores in the region have been oversupplied with ‘ambient goods’, foods that stay at room temperature, so there will be plenty of supplies in case of an emergency.

Woolworths has also placed a two-pack purchase limit on fresh meat products to ensure everyone gets a share.

However, locals said the rush for groceries isn’t unusual. 

‘Well, when it gets flooded out and takes an extra four to five days for food to get there, then I don’t blame people for stocking up,’ one person said.

‘Why the hell do people not prepare for a disaster knowing that they’re going to get hit?,’ another wrote.

Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Sharwood warned the east Pilbara will likely be the worst affected by the cyclone.

‘The BoM says a severe impact is likely along the coast and adjacent inland parts between Port Hedland and Broome, in the vicinity of Wallal Downs,  a cattle station roughly halfway between Port Hedland and Broome,’ he said.

However, the effects of the cyclone are forecast to be felt as far west as Queensland with parts of SA and the southern NT set to see heavy rain.

‘As Ilsa moves inland over the weekend and deteriorates into a tropical low, heavy rain and/or strong winds could make it all the way to western Queensland, affecting places like Birdsville in the far SW of the state,’ Mr Sharwood said.

Wallal Downs cattle station, Newcrest’s Telfer mine and caravan parks forecast to be in the direct path of the cyclone are being evacuated. 

Category four Cyclone Ilsa (above) is forecast to make landfall between Port Hedland and Broome sometime from late Thursday to early Friday

Both Coles and Woolworths (above) reassured customers that stores have been stocked with extra food incase communities are cutoff from supplies

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a Blue Alert for ‘people in or near Broome to Bidyadanga (not including Bidyadanga), inland areas to Nullagine, Parnngurr and Kiwirrkurra (including Telfer and Marble Bar) and De Grey to Whim Creek’.

The alert means residents in those areas must prepare for severe cyclonic weather and organise an emergency kit. 

It has also issued a Yellow Alert for people living between Bidyadanga to De Grey to need to seek shelter.

Anyone who needs SES assistance can call 132 500. In a life-threatening situation call 000.