Residents of Airlie Beach in Queensland's north are stocking up as holiday makers at the popular Whitsunday Islands gateway town attempt to flee the possible devastation of Cyclone Debbie.
The storm is forecast to hit Queensland's northeast coast some time on Tuesday with meteorologists warning it could reach Category 5 intensity.
Canadians Tom and Laura Britton were among dozens of people queuing at the Hertz car hire centre on Sunday desperately trying to secure the last pair of wheels out of town.
The couple were yachting around the Whitsundays but were forced to return to the mainland on Saturday.
Their Jetstar flight out of Proserpine Airport was scheduled for Monday morning, but has been cancelled and the couple now hope to drive to Brisbane to fly onwards to Melbourne form there.
"It's an interesting turn of events," Mrs Britton said.
"We really enjoyed being on the boat so we are a little bummed."
Local businesswoman Tracey Lord was one of the first people through the door at Woolworths as the doors opened on Sunday.
Ms Lord said Debbie would be her 28th cyclone but the worst she had experienced was a Category 4.
She said her last minute supplies were for her food truck Cosmos within which she planned to hit the street once she got the all clear.
"We've got generators ready," Ms Lord said.
"If we lose power we will be able to feed people."
Despite the impending danger, a handful of backpackers are still heading north to Townsville and Cairns.
A local tour operator, who asked not to be named, said they did not appreciate the risk.
