Weather

Last-minute shoppers find some shelves empty as Central Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian

ORLANDO, Fla. — As many in Central Florida make last-minute preparations ahead of Hurricane Ian, stores are starting to fill up with last-minute shoppers.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

As the hurricane approaches, the time to get ready is running out.

Photos: Last-minute shoppers find some shelves empty as Central Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian

Channel 9 crews visited Ace Hardware on South Orange Avenue Tuesday morning, and the store was packed.

LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Ian moves into Gulf as track shifts east into Central Florida

“It’s been about three days now of just chaos. Controlled chaos really,” said Ry Budnik with Ace Hardware. “The closer the storm gets, the more people coming in to get supplies.”

People were lined up for propane, and the generator section was bare.

Watch: Ian threatens FL gas supply, but leaders say they’ve prepared

At local grocery stores, some of the shelves are low on certain items like paper towels and toilet paper. Water is also hard to come by.

Read: Smell a scam? Florida activates price gouging hotline

Watch more in the video above.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about wdbo.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!