Double-whammy winter storms leave store shelves thin

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Keith Taylor is counting down to spring after back-to-back snowstorms in central North Carolina slowed his business because he works outdoors.

“It’s a delay at work, and you can’t paint outside or do anything outside,” said Taylor.

He noticed the effects of the storms even further when he made a stop at his local grocery store on Wednesday night. The store shelves were empty.

“There was like, no chicken, there’s no meat. It’s like everything’s gone. Thankfully, I got stuff at home. I just need some Gatorade, some water, but that’s it,” Taylor said.

NC State Supply Chain Management Professor Robert Handfield said local retailers could be dealing with delivery and travel disruptions brought on by the snow and ice.

“We kind of had a double whammy where, you know, after the first storm, they replenished. But then the second storm came in, and they had to replenish again,” he explained.

Handfield said some road conditions are still not safe for drivers.

“Certain roads in certain parts of the Triangle still do have ice on them, unfortunately. And so does Charlotte, actually. That ice is really dangerous. And so big trucks are not going to want to, you know, replenish right away,” Handfield said.

He expects grocery stores to replenish their stock as early as Thursday. A Food Lion spokesperson also said they were working as quickly as possible to restock shelves.

From stores to schools, the effects of the winter weather continue, and families are feeling fatigued.

“I’ve got two kids, so they’ve been home from school, and we work from home, so not a whole lot is getting done,” said Jason Watson, a parent of Wake County students. The district announced that Thursday is another two-hour delay because of the continued threat of black ice.

“It’s difficult to juggle the logistics, right? Driving work, all that stuff. And when they cancel school, or they do it at the last minute, it’s hard to make sure you have everything covered,” he said.

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