Miami

South Florida Residents Stock Up on Water, Food, Gas Ahead of Hurricane Irma

"You never know what can happen, so it's better to be safe than sorry," Christian Tavarez said

Some gas stations ran out of fuel and South Florida residents raided store shelves, buying up water, food and other hurricane supplies ahead of a possible hit from the powerful Hurricane Irma.

By Wednesday, gas stations scattered across Miami-Dade and Broward counties were running dry, according to GasBuddy's Gasoline Availability Tracker.

Doral Police said the Chevron at Northwest 102nd Avenue and Northwest 58th Street and the Mobil at Northwest 79th Avenue and Northwest 58th Street were both out of gas.

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A Shell Station on Flamingo Road near Pines Boulevard also had all its pumps covered.

It was unknown when the stations would be getting more fuel delivered.

With gas supply fluctuating due to the impending storm, GasBuddy's crowd-sourced Gasoline Availability Tracker is offering drivers a way to find stations with gas and power.

At Costco stores in Miami Lakes and Pembroke Pines, shoppers lined up around the building to stock up on supplies in anticipation of the storm.

Water flew off the shelves at several Publix and Sedanos locations and at other area grocery stores.

"I think they should be prepared. You can always use the stuff another time, I really think you should be prepared," shopper Julie Krebs said.

South Floridians waited in long lines at stores and gas stations Tuesday as they bought up water, food, fuel and other supplies ahead of a possible hit from the powerful Hurricane Irma.

Pablo Rodriguez surveyed the empty water aisle at a Fort Lauderdale Winn Dixie with dismay, saying "I was hoping to get a few cases."

The 65-year-old said he would have to try other shops, because "all the people are stocking up quick."

Workers at the store on 17th street said they were expecting another shipment of water Tuesday night.

Theresa Webster, 60, of Fort Lauderdale had heard water was sold out at Publix but still available at Winn Dixie, but there was none by the time she got there in the afternoon.

Hurricane Season Supplies List

She was also stocking up on canned tuna, crackers and bread.

But some shoppers were ahead of the curve.

"We have supplies ready before the season even hits and that's what most people should be doing. But unfortunately everyone doesn't," Ed Scheffler said.

At Home Depot stores, including one in Miami Gardens, there was a rush on plywood as homeowners worked to board up and protect their homes and businesses. Others were buying supplies like batteries.

Residents in the Florida Keys prepare for Hurricane Irma as a mandatory evacuation order was given in Monroe County.

"You never know what can happen, so it's better to be safe than sorry," Home Depot shopper Christian Tavarez said.

At some Home Depot stores, employees have also been working around the clock to get customers in and out as quickly as possible. They said they've been constantly unloading shipments of generators and other hurricane supplies.

"It has been non-stop, just waiting for next truck load to come," worker Jorge Pino said. "Right now they're deploying consistently trucks in the areas needed the most."

In Doral, homeowners were making sandbags at Ready Mix Concrete and Pumping Service. The store's owner gave away sandbags for free until they ran out, then gave away the sand to anyone with a bag.

"We were looking at sand at Lowe's and it was $5 a pack and we were able to get 10 packs per house at no cost so we're really grateful for them," Lily Lopez said.

NBC 6’s Adam Berg has your First Alert Weather forecast for Monday.
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