Supermarkets in Florida are facing an emergency situation due to panic buying caused by the approach of Hurricane Milton.
With winds reaching up to 250 km/h, residents of the area have packed stores to stock up on essential products, leaving shelves empty at several major chains such as Publix, Walmart and Sam’s Club.
lack of water and basic goods
Bottled water has been one of the most popular products in the past few hours, leaving many stores out of stock. In addition to this there are other essential items such as toilet paper and bread, which have quickly disappeared from the shelves, showing the fear and urgency of the people to prepare for the storm.
In addition, platforms such as TikTok have shown videos that show shortages in several supermarkets in Florida. Users like Nury Calvo (@nurycalvosn) and Familia Obrien (@familiaobrien) shared images of their visits to stores, where the water shelves were completely empty.
A product in high demand
Ice has also been in high demand, as many people expect more energy and are looking for ways to keep foods like meat and milk fresh. Other products such as soft drinks, beer and juice are still available, but consumers are prioritizing stocking up on drinking water and other essentials to deal with the uncertainty that comes from the storm.
Preparations and stress before the hurricane
Hurricane Milton, which reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale on Monday afternoon, has spurred preparations across the state. Although it dropped to category 4 overnight, 250 km/h winds are keeping the west coast of Florida very alert. The area is still recovering from the severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Residents fear the devastating effects that Milton could cause, including flooding, high winds and prolonged power outages. These concerns have prompted thousands of people to prepare to shelter in place or move to safe areas over the next few days, causing long lines and stockouts at many stores.
Overview of sources
As the hurricane approaches, images of empty shelves and endless lines in Florida supermarkets show the tension. Residents, who are aware of the dangers of the storm, have focused their shopping on essential products to ensure they are safe while traveling to Milton. It is expected to land this Wednesday.
Uncertainty and preparedness set the pace for the state, as authorities continue to warn of the severity of the hurricane and the need to be prepared for what could be one of the storms most dangerous in recent years.
