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Tropical Storm Fay puts Cape Coral on Hurricane Watch |
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Written by Eric Taubert
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Sunday, 17 August 2008 |
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Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and all of Southwest Florida has been placed under a Hurricane Watch as the result of the advancing Tropical Storm Fay.
As of 12:30PM on Sunday, August 17th, residents of Cape Coral were out in force at local gas stations, supermarkets, and hardware stores.
At gas stations in southwest Cape Coral, mid-sized lines were beginning to form for gas. Motorists in line grew impatient as customers at the pumps filled up container after container of gas for their generators. In several cases, residents were seen filling up multiple five gallon gas cans in preparation for a power outage should the storm intensify.
 Lines at Gas Stations "They say it's only a Category One," said Cape Coral resident Donald Hennings, "But I've been here long enough to know that the forecasters are almost never right when it comes to these hurricanes. They don't know when they're going to hit, where they're going to hit, or what category they'll be when they get there. I hope this storm doesn't amount to much, but if it does I want to be prepared. I can always put the gas in my car's tank if I don't have to use my generator."  Shell on Skyline Boulevard
Home Depot on Skyline Boulevard and Lowes off of Veterans Memorial were both doing brisk business around noon. Consumers were seen purchasing chainsaws, portable air conditioners, grills, and drills. Home Depot was one of the few stores with a healthy supply of bottled water left in the area. Brisk Business at Lowes
"Hey, I might be a last minute shopper," stated Dennis Grummond as he stood in a check out line with batteries and a cordless drill, "But at least I'm here now while they've still got some stuff. By tomorrow you won't be able to get anything around here."
At the Publix grocery store on Santa Barbara, parking and shopping carriages were both in short supply. Exhausted looking staff members worked non-stop trying to keep the bottled water aisle stocked. As soon as bottles were put on the shelves, customers were taking them back off. The deli and canned food aisles were both very busy. The most crowded sections of the store were the beer and wine areas. No Carriages at Publix
"Hurricane parties are a Florida tradition," stated one young man with sunglasses on and a shopping carriage full of beer.
Walmart Neighborhood Market on Skyline Boulevard was not even trying to keep their bottled water section stocked. The entire aisle was completely depleted of all water. Only soda and soft drinks were available. No Bottled Water at Walmart
"I guess we're too late," said a senior citizen couple who came to Walmart looking for bottled water, "I guess we'll have to go try somewhere else." |
Discuss (2 posts)
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Re:Tropical Storm Fay puts Cape Coral on Hurricane
Aug 17 2008 18:51:14
Yeah, it's kind of hit or miss out there right now for gas. I just drove down Cape Coral Parkway, and some stations have long lines, others don't
I assume it will get worse as the day goes on. I remember during Wilma pretty much every station on the Cape ran out of gas a day before the storm.
But I agree that hurricanes do have a way of bringing out bad characteristics in people. They get impatient and rude. Maybe it's fear?
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#37 |
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Tropical Storm Fay puts Cape Coral on Hurricane Watch
Aug 17 2008 18:06:36
This thread discusses the Content article: Tropical Storm Fay puts Cape Coral on Hurricane Watch
This whole gas station thing is ridiculous.
I just went out to fill up my cars gas tank, just in case the worst happens and we need to evacuate. The lines of people waiting for gas out there in Cape Coral are absurd. People are getting mad at each other and beeping. It's completely chaotic. I finally made it to my turn in the line when the driver of a car from the other direction forced his way in front of me. I was so frustrated I gave up and went home. I guess I'll try again at midnight when everyone's asleep.
Sometimes these hurricanes bring out the worst in people.
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#36 |
Discuss this item on the forums. (2 posts)
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