Stores open after Irma, but supplies of food limited

Scattered supermarkets and convenience stores opened Tuesday, a day after Hurricane Irma ravaged the state.

While hundreds of thousands of customers are still without power, Publix, Target and others opened some of their locations in Central Florida. Many Wawa and other gas stations reopened as well. Long lines of hungry customers could be seen around the region.

Publix reopened nearly all of its local stores Tuesday, said company spokesman Dwaine Stevens. Most stores have generators, he said.

However, many stores that are open have limited supplies as new shipments have slowed in recent days.

Wal-Mart stores are still trying to open, according to a list of store closings on the company’s website.

Most supermarkets and convenience stores in Seminole County were still closed at midday, with 68 percent of customers without power.

Customers waited in line at a Wal-Mart on Princeton Street in Orlando. An employee at the door said customers were being limited because the store is working with a smaller staff.

The store had limited supplies of food, although there was a fresh shipment of fruits and vegetables, and store generators kept frozen foods at safe temperatures while Irma knocked out power to most of the region. However, the store did not have eggs. Supplies of steaks were going fast as some customers were left with only propane grills for home cooking.

“Across the region, we are working through power outages, debris and water levels,” said Ragan Dickens, Wal-Mart spokesman. “We are working with our transportation, logistics and replenishment teams to get the stores stocked as soon as possible. We have 75 stores in recovery which means associates are in the stores prepping them for re-opening.”

By Tuesday afternoon, Wawa reported that most of its convenience stores and gas stations had opened, and those that did had long lines.

“Currently, all Florida Wawa locations on the list are stocked and have fuel,” Wawa spokeswoman Lori Bruce said. “Our fuel and supply chain teams will continue to work with our suppliers to replenish.”

Drug stores chains CVS and Walgreen’s also opened most locations by Tuesday afternoon.

Lowe’s and Home Depot plans to open all stores Tuesday and shipments of new supplies should be coming soon, representatives for those companies said.“

After a storm mostly what people are looking for are cleanup and dry-up supplies,” said Steve Salazar, Lowe’s spokesman.

A representative for WinnDixie said most of its grocery stores should open Tuesday. The rest should open Wednesday.

Mall at Millenia, Florida Mall and the Orlando Premium Outlets were among retailers that opened at 10 a.m. Tuesday.