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ST. PETERSBURG – Alberto Jauregui arrived at Publix, near Allendale Park, with his fiance's strict orders: they needed supplies for hurricanes.
Jauregui steered his cart directly into the driveway, normally filled with paddles of water bottles. It was not even 8:30 Thursday and the shelves were almost empty – except for the expensive alkaline water bottles.
Jauregui spotted a last pack of 24 packs with his torn plastic wrapper, but at least it was plain water. Success.
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"I did not even know that there had been a hurricane off our Atlantic shores a few days ago," Jauregui said.
On Thursday, Floridians searched for bottled water, batteries for flashlights and non-perishable food before Hurricane Dorian. Most say that they do not want to be left unprepared if the storm gets stronger over a Category 3 hurricane, as predicted by the National Hurricane Center.
While the system only has a few days to clear its way into warm waters, its precise trajectory remains unclear. Although the storm does not hit Tampa Bay directly, high winds and rain may cut off the power for days.
Before the doors of the Aldi, 19 US St. Petersburg, opened at 9 am, a dozen customers were waiting with carts to go to the packaged water. When they got there, they saw that liter jugs had already been sold the night before. A sign indicating that buyers could only take two of the remaining 24 parcels was displayed.
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A nearby Walmart was crowded with customers who were facing empty water points. The store, open until midnight, was busy the night before. Popular hurricane snacks, such as Strawberry Pop-Tarts, have been exhausted and the number of bread varieties has decreased.
Publix stores in Tampa Bay also had water limits. Some stores ran out of water, but still had cans. Other stores had jugs, but no cases. Employees told clients that they were getting more water that day, but they could not tell exactly when the shipment would arrive.
In a statement via Twitter, Publix said it was working to send more water packets to its Florida sites. Spokesman Brian West said that the Lakeland chain was preparing for the hurricane season months in advance and that she already had reserves of water, ice, batteries and batteries. weather radios.
In Tampa, Marlene Cox got the water and flashlights she needed at Home Depot on the N Dale Mabry Highway. Even though the stores may become chaotic, she said the time has come to help your community – not just focus on your own needs.
"It's at this moment that people come together and unite," she said. "I come from the islands, from Jamaica, I know what it's all about."
Inside Home Depot, workers in orange aprons loaded wooden slabs into trolleys. The generators sold quickly, but Home Depots depots in the area had water pallets, tarpaulins and wood on hand.
"Be safe," recommended another client, Jerry Alonso, "and do not take any chances."
Home Depot is known to deliver supply trucks – such as generators – from unaffected areas to those facing a massive storm or releasing them. The chain first reunited itinerant teams to help supply supplies after several hurricanes hit Florida.
"Florida retailers have comprehensive procedures in place to ensure the consistent delivery of food, water, medicine and supplies to areas potentially affected by Hurricane Dorian," said the spokesman. Florida Retail Federation, James Miller.
Jauregui was able to get the rest of his fiance's items, Kelly, list: pasta, sauce, beans, cat food. He even found more water at CVS – in less than 45 minutes.
His main advice? Enter with a plan.
Times staff photographer Octavio Jones contributed to this report.
The Tampa Bay Times 2019 Hurricane Guide
THE HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane
PREPARE YOUR STUFF: Prepare your documents and data for a storm
BUILD YOUR KIT: What you will need to stay safe – and comfortable – during the storm
Protect your pets: Your animals can not prepare for a storm. It's your job
DO KNOW: Click here to find your evacuation zone and your shelter
What Michael taught at Panhandle and Tampa Bay
What Panhandle's most senior emergency managers have learned from Michael
"We will not give up." What a school superintendent learned from Michael
What Tampa Bay Heads Are Most Afraid of a Storm
Tampa Bay's best cops fear those who stay behind
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