East Texas

By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer

As East Texans brace for dangerous storms that Hurricane Gustav could potentially produce here, local stores are making sure they are fully stocked with items needed for emergencies.

City and American Red Cross officials have advised residents to prepare for possible flooding and power outages caused by high winds by stocking up on supplies.

An emergency kit should include fresh water, nonperishable food, first aid supplies, medications, important documents and a radio with batteries. Also, a charged cell phone should be kept on hand to monitor news and weather reports in case of power outages.

Brookshire’s Grocery Company got a jump start on the likely severe weather, taking notes from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“We have learned a lot since Katrina and every hurricane season we try to a keep close watch on the things we need,” said Bergfeld store manager Allan Bussey. “We started preparing about mid-last week, so we are pretty much in stock of everything.” Bussey said they believe they can sustain the needs of emergency supplies, but if they run low on items, their distribution center is right here in town. He said they have had an increase in the sale of water, ice, canned meats and batteries.

Home Depot store manager Rod Schmitt said although bigger shipments of emergency-type supplies were being sent to more eastern and southern stores including those in Lufkin, Bossier City and Shreveport, they were expecting another shipment of generators Monday afternoon.

However, Schmitt said there had not yet been an influx of customers purchasing emergency-type supplies.

“We had a lot more with Rita than this year,” Schmitt said. “I think since the path has shifted and it has died down in the last 24 hours, I don’t think customers are anticipating a lot happening.”

Schmitt noted that the store’s shelves are fully stocked with emergency items if needed.

Shannon Baker, an executive team leader of assets protection at Target, said store employees have been working to keep shelves stocked in preparation for severe weather, but by Monday afternoon, the store was running low on flashlights.

“It has been ongoing for us,” said Baker. “Whenever there is a natural disaster, we just make sure the store is fully stocked and we are prepared with a full staff to handle the number of people coming in.”

Baker said over the holiday, the store did not experience a great influx of customers, but some were coming in to buy bulk quantities of water, batteries and flashlights.

As clouds hovered over Tyler Monday afternoon, the tone among customers was not of anxiety or fear from what Gustav may bring to East Texas, but awareness.

Mary Nyberg was among those customers.

“I am not worried but I want to be on the safe side,” Ms. Nyberg said. “I am just getting basic items and food. Things that won’t rely on electricity.”

Dawne Langley and her daughter Kerbie had been gathering items for about two days.

“We just want to be prepared,” Ms. Langley said. “We wanted to make sure we have batteries for the flashlight and plenty of water.”

As residents get ready for storms, so is the city of Tyler. Officials have shifted their focus from receiving evacuees, as they closed the reception center Monday, to having crews on standby for possible flooding and other damages.

Utility crews will be checking all major street crossings, bridges and culverts to ensure drains and creeks are clear to prevent flooding. Oncor crews are also prepared to respond once the storm hits.