These items are flying off shelves as Myrtle Beach, SC preps for Debby

As South Carolina braces for heavy rainfall and potential flooding, tourists and residents alike are stocking up on necessities to get through the storm.

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring life-threatening rainfall Tuesday through Thursday and potentially Friday along the South Carolina coast, according to the National Weather Service’s Wilmington office.

“It’s been very busy the last couple of days,” a Myrtle Beach Food Lion employee told The Sun News.

She estimated the store had 20% more traffic than usual on Monday morning as shoppers prepared for Debby.

These are some of the most popular items shoppers are buying up in advance of the storm.

Water

With potential disruptions and complications to plumbing, many shoppers are stocking up on water for drinking and household use. One cashier noted that 24-packs of water bottles are especially popular, but plenty of other quantities and full gallons are selling, as well.

Non-perishable snacks

Dry goods like cereal and peanut butter that are safe to eat without refrigeration are popular choices with Debby on the way.

“I got things I never eat, like cereal bars, and all that crap,” said Myrtle Beach local Tom Herron. “I got pretty much all non-perishables. I thought I’d go out before it gets bad, but it’s already getting there.”

Bread

Bread is one of the most popular items for shoppers getting ready for storm weather, and grocery store employees say Debby is no exception. As it doesn’t require refrigeration or heat to eat, bread makes for a safe and reliable food.

Milk

Although it’s perishable, milk is another extremely popular item for shoppers getting ready for Debby. One grocery store employee noted that, in addition to toilet paper and bread, lots of people were stocking up on milk on Monday morning.

Toilet Paper

Unsurprisingly, lots of people in the Myrtle Beach area are buying packs of toilet paper before the storm. While the severity and length of Debby’s impact are uncertain, lots of shopping carts in the area are stocked with toilet paper, as no one wants to run out of toilet paper before they can make it back to the store.

This story was originally published August 5, 2024 at 2:29 PM.