11 Publix Items That Typically Vanish First Before a Florida Hurricane

Living in Florida means you can pretty much bet on a hurricane warning popping up on local news every year. A familiar scene then unfolds at grocery stores like Publix.

Parking lots fill up fast, and within a matter of hours, certain shelves start to become bare.

If you’ve ever tried to grab storm prep supplies after the rush has started, you already know how brutal it can be. Some items disappear so quickly that it’s like they were never stocked at all.

These are the 11 things you should always grab early at Publix before a hurricane, even if the sky still looks clear.

Bottled Water (Especially the Store Brand)

Bottled water might be the most obvious item on any hurricane prep list, but it’s also the one that almost always vanishes first.

Publix’s store-brand gallons and cases of 24-pack water fly off the shelves the second a tropical system hits the radar. The reason is obvious: Publix’s brand is more economical.

Shoppers don’t just grab a couple of bottles; they load entire carts with flats of water.

It doesn’t matter how many pallets the staff puts out. They’ll be gone before you know it.

Publix does its best to restock. But demand skyrockets overnight when a hurricane’s announced.

Sure, premium brands like Evian and Fiji usually linger longer, but nobody wants to pay $3 a bottle when a hurricane’s coming.

Canned Soup and Chef Boyardee

Soup might not sound glamorous, but when the power’s out and there’s no stove or microwave, it becomes a necessity.

Publix carries a wide range of canned meals. But brands like Campbell’s Chunky, Progresso, and especially Chef Boyardee are often among the first to vanish.

They don’t require refrigeration, they’re pre-cooked, and they’re filling, which checks every box during a hurricane emergency.

Bonus points if you can find pull-tab lids. Because if the power goes out, your electric can opener won’t work.

Batteries of Every Size

When the lights go out because of a hurricane, batteries are your lifeline. So, it makes sense they’re one of the first things to disappear at Publix after forecasters warn about a hurricane.

Publix typically stocks AA, AAA, D, and 9-volt batteries near the checkout lanes. But as soon as a storm gets named, they’re gone.

It’s not just Duracell and Energizer that people want. The store-brand GreenWise batteries fly off the shelves, too.

Once word spreads that a storm’s on its way, you can expect a battery-buying frenzy at Publix.

Bread and Peanut Butter

The bread aisle becomes a battleground during hurricane season.

White bread, wheat bread, hamburger buns, hot dog buns, even gluten-free loaves—they all sell out quickly. The moment Publix puts out a fresh delivery, someone’s there to swipe up half the rack.

The reason? Sandwiches are easy to make, require no heat, and can be prepared in the dark with nothing but a knife.

But what good is bread without peanut butter? That creamy protein-packed jar of comfort also vanishes fast.

Publix’s GreenWise organic peanut butter, Jif, Skippy, and even the off-brand versions disappear as soon as families begin prepping for a storm.

It’s a childhood staple and a hurricane standby.

Ice (And Ice Cream, Weirdly Enough)

Ice is practical. You can keep a cooler chilled longer, protect frozen food, and even use it to avoid opening the fridge too often.

But the moment a storm gets serious, good luck finding a bag of it.

The ice freezers at Publix are usually empty long before the sky darkens. Everyone grabs a few or more bags to stash in coolers, hoping it’ll buy them an extra day or two without refrigeration.

Dry ice, if available at your local store, vanishes even faster.

Surprisingly, ice cream is also a hot seller. People want one last sweet treat before the power goes out, and a frozen dessert run has become something of a storm prep tradition in some households.

Cereal and Shelf-Stable Milk

Cereal isn’t just a breakfast food; it’s storm fuel.

Boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, and even Publix store-brand varieties go fast when the storm chatter begins. It’s an easy, no-cook, zero-mess option that everyone in the family can eat.

But to make cereal work, you need milk, so people grab shelf-stable milk cartons too.

Almond milk, oat milk, and ultra-pasteurized dairy milk in the center aisles disappear once shoppers realize they won’t have to refrigerate them until they’re opened.

It’s a simple hurricane food solution that works when the fridge is off and the lights are out.

Toilet Paper and Baby Wipes

We all know from the COVID-19 pandemic that toilet paper is one of those items people don’t even think about until they realize it might be gone.

It’s not even about hoarding. It’s about making sure you don’t run out during a time when leaving the house isn’t easy or safe.

The Publix’s store-brand toilet paper and big-name brands like Charmin and Angel Soft often go first. But given enough time, you can expect the toilet paper section to become essentially bare.

Wipes are just as valuable, especially for households with babies. But even child-free shoppers grab them for quick cleanup when there’s no running water or access to showers.

They’re also great for wiping down surfaces or feeling like you took a kind-of-shower when you’re sweating through a power outage in August.

Propane Canisters and Charcoal

Grilling becomes a backup cooking method when the power is out after a hurricane, and that’s why the outdoor aisle at Publix empties fast.

Small propane tanks for portable grills and larger replacements for backyard models are a must. But once the storm warning hits, that section gets wiped clean in no time.

Charcoal’s just as in-demand. Even people who haven’t used a grill in years suddenly remember they have one and rush to grab a bag of it.

You can’t cook frozen burgers or heat up soup without a flame, and that makes this one of the more underrated hurricane prep essentials.

Pet Food and Litter

Publix has a small pet section, so it’s not always top of mind during a hurricane rush… until you realize Fido and Whiskers need food too.

Dry dog food, cat food, and cans of wet food vanish fast, especially the most popular brands like Purina, Pedigree, Iams, and Fancy Feast.

If your pet has allergies or eats a special formula, good luck finding it the day before a storm.

And if you’ve got cats? Litter is another item that disappears at Publix. Nobody wants to run out while they’re stuck indoors for a few days with a stressed-out tabby.

People might stock up on Publix supplies for themselves first. But pet owners always circle back. And by then, the shelves are often bare.

Manual Can Openers and Plastic Cutlery

One thing that slips people’s minds until it’s too late: your electric can opener won’t work when the power’s out.

Publix usually has manual ones in the kitchen gadget section. But during hurricane season, they’re often one of the most forgotten essentials… until they’re the most desperately needed.

Plastic utensils, paper plates, and napkins also vanish quickly.

No one wants to wash dishes when water is limited, and if you’re staying in a shelter or helping neighbors, disposable gear makes everything easier.

So even if you think you’re all set on food, you might find yourself stuck with a bunch of cans and no way to open or eat them.

Flashlights and Storm Candles

Publix carries a limited selection of emergency lights. But what they do have gets picked over fast leading up to a hurricane.

Small LED flashlights, headlamps, storm candles, and battery-powered lanterns are almost always gone by the time a storm hits the Gulf or Atlantic.

The next best option? Tea lights, decorative candles, or even citronella if that’s all that’s left.

If you can, grab a multi-pack of candles, waterproof matches, and a decent flashlight or two early in the season.

Otherwise, you could find yourself rummaging through Publix’s floral section hoping to find a candle that doesn’t smell like gardenias.

Cold Brew Coffee and Energy Drinks

Any coffee lover knows that their caffeine addiction doesn’t magically disappear during a hurricane.

Cold brew coffee bottles and cans of Starbucks and La Colombe cold brew go quick, especially when people realize they won’t be able to brew a fresh pot.

Instant coffee and powdered creamer tend to stick around a little longer. But even that goes eventually.