Publix Stores in Florida Adjust Hours Ahead of Hurricane Milton

As Hurricane Milton approaches Central Florida, Publix Super Markets Inc. has announced that many of its locations across the state will be operating on modified hours. This decision aims to ensure the safety of both customers and employees during the storm.

According to the Publix website, nearly all stores within the cone of uncertainty are adjusting their hours. This includes locations in Polk County and other areas predicted to be affected by the hurricane. As of Tuesday morning, 495 out of 1,380 Publix stores across eight states had modified hours.

In Polk County, specific stores like the Bartow location will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, with a target reopening time of 9 a.m. on Thursday, depending on the storm's trajectory. The Lakeland Southgate Shopping Center also reported similar hours with a goal of reopening by Thursday morning.

Additionally, if any Publix store is closed due to the storm, its pharmacy and liquor stores will also be closed. Residents can check the latest store status on the Publix website by visiting Publix Store Status.

On the west side of Florida's peninsula, Gulf Coast stores from Marco Island to Homosassa are expected to close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and reopen at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Stores on Florida's Atlantic coast will close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and reopen at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Other retailers in the area are also taking precautions. Two Sams Club locations in Lakeland are currently closed as of noon Tuesday, while Walmart stores in Polk County remained open at that time. The Winn-Dixie at Lakeland Market Place on North Socrum Loop will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and is expected to reopen by noon on Thursday, though this is still tentative.

The Waffle House Index, an unofficial indicator of a hurricane's severity, suggests that Central Florida Waffle House locations may also be closed due to the storm. Njeri Boss, vice president of food safety and public relations for Waffle House, stated that preemptive closures will take place in areas predicted to be hardest hit or where mandatory evacuations have been ordered.

For those needing to find gas near them, Floridians fleeing Hurricane Milton are facing long lines at pumps. It is crucial for residents to plan ahead and check the latest updates on store hours and gas availability before the storm hits.

How to Check Publix Store Hours

To check the latest store hours, residents can visit the Publix Store Status page on the Publix website. This page provides real-time information about store closures and adjusted hours due to storms or hurricanes.

For prescription delivery, Publix Pharmacy app users can log in and select 'Delivery' from the drop-down menu. Prepayment for prescriptions is required, and users can schedule delivery through Instacart's site.

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