Panic buying causes alarm in Qld town

Panic food buying is threatening to cause problems in the central Queensland town of
Emerald as floodwaters sweep across the region, says the local mayor.
Central Highlands Regional Council mayor Peter Maguire told AAP on Saturday that
some residents had stocked up at local shops out of the fear they could be isolated
for several days, if not weeks, after the rail line was washed away, cutting off a
major supply route.
Mr Maguire said the buy-up had eased after residents awoke to blue skies and
sunshine on Saturday.
"We are waiting for it (floodwaters) to subside and hopefully all the roads will be
open by Tuesday," he said.
"People cleaned out the shops yesterday, but today's a bit better and it's settled
down a bit.
"The rail line between Emerald and Blackwater has been washed away, which means we
can't get stuff in by rail."
Mr Maguire said some roads into Emerald had reopened, but roads leading to
Rockhampton, Blackall and Capella remained flooded and closed.
Queensland emergency services dealt with more than 100 incidents across the state
during Friday night, and there were unconfirmed reports on Saturday that police had
found the missing elderly man in a submerged ute at Bajool, 35 kilometres south of
Rockhampton.
Police divers had been searching for the man, who was driving the ute when it was
washed away by floodwaters on Friday night.
The man attempted to cross a flooded causeway on Upper Ulam Road, Mount Hopeful,
about 7pm (AEST) in his ute when rising waters swept the vehicle into Station Creek,
according to police.