MACON, Ga. — As Hurricane Helene approaches Central Georgia, people are making last-minute trips to local grocery stores to prepare for the storm’s impact.
While the lines at Food Depot in North Macon were manageable on Thursday, the nearby Kroger on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd. saw much longer waits as shoppers rushed to stock up on essentials.
“We’re getting water and batteries just in case,” Troy Johnson, a shopper, said. “I don’t think it’ll be too bad, but you never know.”
With Helene expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and the possibility of flooding and tornados, residents are taking no chances. Many are preparing for potential power outages, grabbing items like non-perishable foods, batteries and other emergency supplies.
One shopper at Kroger, Tonya Braxton — who had been waiting in line for nearly 20 minutes — expressed concern over flooding.
“We live in a low-lying area, so we’re trying to get everything we need before the storm hits," Braxton said. "If it floods, we might not be able to leave the house for a while.”
While the lines at Food Depot remained short, the rain was already beginning to cause minor flooding in the store’s parking lot. Shoppers hurried to get in and out as conditions worsened.
“I am just here to do some last-minute things to stock the fridge,” Holly Ransom, another Food Depot shopper, said. “We have a generator, so we aren’t too concerned about that. We’re grabbing what we need and getting home to wait it out.”
With the storm expected to intensify overnight before landfall, local and state authorities are warning people in the area to stay off the roads and avoid any unnecessary travel.
For those worried about food spoiling, experts say fill the freezer with ice before the storm hits and keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed refrigerator can keep food safe for up to four hours, while a full freezer can keep food safe for up to 48 hours.
A half-full freezer can keep food safe for up to 24 hours.