CBD sandbagged as shop owners prepare for worst
THE main street of Bundaberg has been eerily quiet as shop owners have been closing their doors and sandbagging their entry-ways in preparation for rising floodwaters.
Golden Casket Newsagency was the only small business open in an entire block on Bourbong St yesterday.
Target, Rivers, Priceline, Dick Smith Electronics, banks and an assortment of cafes also remained open.
Newsagent owner John Jeffrey said he didn't believe his store would flood.
"We think we're about 10.8m (high) here, and it's at 9.5m at the moment," he said.
"Even with 9.6m as the forecast peak; it's not going to get here.
"None of the other stores opened today - we stayed open in 2011 too."
Mr Jeffrey (pictured) said he had sandbags at the ready, just in case.
"We'll just play it by ear - it's very, very slow moving," he said.
"It's easy for me - I just go have a look to see where the river has risen to."
Mr Jeffrey said people appreciated the store being open, to get a cold drink and maintain normality in their lives.
"I've heard many flood victims' stories. Everybody's got a story - we get lots of stories," Mr Jeffrey said.
