WA braces for empty supermarket shelves as floods shut rail line
Sydney Morning Herald
February 24, 2026
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Western Australia is bracing for empty supermarket shelves following severe floods that have shut down the state’s crucial rail link. This disruption affects 80% of supermarket stock, with restocking expected to take weeks. Authorities advise residents to prepare for shortages and consider alternative shopping strategies.
The flooded rail line serves as a vital supply route, transporting goods from Eastern Australia to major cities like Perth. This infrastructure is critical for delivering essentials such as food and beverages, which are at risk of running out as stock cannot be replenished quickly. Supermarkets are already warning customers about potential shortages in key items.
Experts highlight the challenge of rerouting supplies via alternative routes, with predictions that restocking efforts will be slow and limited by damaged infrastructure. This situation underscores the vulnerability of supply chains to natural disasters and their broader economic impacts on daily life.
The incident also raises concerns about emergency preparedness in regions prone to extreme weather events. As climate change increases the frequency of such disruptions, the need for resilient logistics systems becomes more urgent. This event serves as a reminder of the interconnected challenges faced by global supply chains in the face of environmental crises.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/24/2026