News

Actions

Shoppers stock up at grocery, hardware stores as Hurricane Matthew approaches Florida

Posted at 11:30 AM, Oct 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-04 18:49:53-04

Grocery stores are seeing a steady stream of customers as Hurricane Matthew moves closer to Florida.

Many supermarkets are out of water and propane. 
 
At the Publix on Lantana Road, the store is now out of water and propane. Flashlights and D batteries were the first to go. 

RELATED: Latest Radar | Alerts | Storm Shield & WPTV app | Get Storm Shield Alerts | Hurricane Guide

Just before 11 a.m., employees restocked the shelves with what's left. 

The manager said there was 700 to 800 packs of water at his location and more is on the way.

He described the store as busier than usual.

Katie Olson, from Hypuloxo Island, isn't taking any chances with Hurricane Matthew.

"I'm taking it very seriously and I've been through three hurricanes before, so I don't want to be caught off guard," said Olson.

Throughout the day, water was flying off the shelves. Employees couldn't stock it fast enough.

Water was the number one item Yvette Passino was buying. "We're concerned about the flooding," said Passino. "I don't know if we're going to be evacuated or not, so we'll find out as soon we get another update on the storm."

Other items people are stocking up on are canned goods, peanut butter and bread.
 
At the nearby Shell gas station, people were filling up cans of gas. James Samaro of Lantana filled up four cans of it.
 
"Lets hope this slips by us and everybody's got extra gas in their garage," said Samaro.
 
At area hardware stores, plywood, flashlights and batteries were a hot commodity.

As soon as Home Depot's doors opened at 6 a.m., shoppers filed in to stock up on hurricane supplies. 

"I came for a generator for my boss, and there's none.  No generators left," said shopper Ed Wallace.

If you are still looking for storm shutters, you are advised to call ahead since some stores don't even supply them.