Hurricane Milton, now a dangerous Category 5 storm, is approaching Florida's west coast, prompting significant precautionary measures across the state. This includes adjustments to the operating hours of major supermarket chains, such as Walmart. Some customers, like TikTok user @hulk___22 from Sarasota, discovered their local Walmart closed on Tuesday afternoon, having delayed their shopping until the last minute.
While residents in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach continue to stock up on essentials, stores in other parts of Florida are closing early as they brace for the cyclone's impact.
Impact on Grocery Store Hours in Florida
Walmart
The company recently launched its Holiday Deals event (from October 8 to 13), offering discounts of up to 82% on holiday items. However, this promotion takes a backseat as Florida residents prioritize purchasing food and water. According to an interactive map on Walmart's website, 66 stores across Florida have been closed since Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. Customers are advised to check the status of their local stores online.
Publix
Stores in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties will operate under normal hours on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, locations from Martin County to Flagler County on the Atlantic coast, and from Collier to Marion on the Gulf coast, have been closed since Tuesday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and will remain closed until Thursday.
Sedano’s
Stores in Miami and Fort Lauderdale will maintain their regular hours, whereas Orlando locations will close on Wednesday with no confirmed reopening date.
Fresco y Más
Three outlets in Tampa, one in Deltona, and another in Lehigh Acres, Lee County, will shut down on Wednesday. The reopening date remains undecided.
Winn-Dixie
A list of stores potentially affected by Hurricane Milton is updated at least twice daily on the company’s website. In regions expecting the hurricane's greatest impact, locations have been closed since Tuesday afternoon and will likely stay closed through Thursday.
Target
Stores in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area (including those on University Plaza St., N. Dale Mabry Hwy., and Dale Mabry Hwy.) were open until 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, and in Orlando until 11:00 p.m. All stores are set to close on Wednesday and will reopen on Thursday as conditions allow.
Aldi
At least three stores in Tampa and 12 in Orlando closed from noon on Tuesday, with plans to reopen on Thursday. Customers can check store statuses through Aldi's store locator.
Whole Foods Market
Locations in Orlando, Tampa, and Sarasota are already closed. They aim to reopen on Thursday at 8 a.m., pending further assessment.
Local authorities and supermarket chains are working together to ensure communities are kept informed about store closures and reopening plans. Floridians who have yet to stock up on supplies should do so promptly. Officials urge residents to remain calm and adhere to official safety advisories to ensure personal and community safety.