San Antonio residents rush to stockpile supplies as winter weather looms, emptying shelves and crowding stores, while officials urge preparedness.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio residents are stocking up on groceries and essential supplies ahead of expected winter weather, leaving shelves empty at some stores across the area.
User-submitted video sent to KENS 5 shows milk, eggs, bread and meat sold out at several H-E-B locations as shoppers crowded stores in anticipation of colder temperatures. Long lines formed in some aisles, with customers reporting wait times of nearly 30 minutes.
“We bought a generator,” said Leslie Anderson, who traveled from Kerrville to shop at a Costco in San Antonio. “We’re praying we won’t lose power and are planning to be home all weekend.”
At Costco, parking lots were full, and cases of bottled water were largely gone, with only a few higher-priced brands remaining. Shoppers described crowded conditions and limited product availability.
“A lot of the meat products were out — produce, water, toilet paper,” one shopper said. “Items you wouldn’t think would be out of stock were out of stock.”
H-E-B said its stores are operating under normal hours and continuing to receive deliveries.
“All stores are operating normal hours. Our stores are receiving product deliveries, and our dedicated partners will restock shelves throughout the day so we can serve our customers with the products they need,” the company said in a statement.
Emergency officials are urging residents to finish preparations ahead of the temperature drop and ensure they have enough food and water on hand in case icy roads limit travel. While stores have been busy, shoppers and store employees said widespread panic buying has not been observed.