Severe weather doesn't follow a posted schedule. A store's normal hours - the ones you'd find on its own page here - stop meaning much once a hurricane warning, tornado watch, or major snowstorm is in play. What actually determines whether a store is open comes down to three things: how close the storm is, whether the power is on, and whether staff can safely get to work. None of that shows up on a "Sunday hours" listing, so this guide covers the pattern instead of a fixed schedule.
Before the Storm: Busy, Not Closed
In the 24 to 72 hours before a storm hits, most stores stay open and get considerably busier than usual. This is when shelves empty out fastest - bottled water, batteries, bread, and canned goods are usually the first things to disappear from grocery stores, while Home Depot and Lowe's see runs on plywood, generators, and tarps. Some stores extend hours during this window to handle the extra traffic; others hold to their normal schedule but add extra staff. Either way, shopping a day or two ahead of a forecasted storm beats trying to find supplies the night before.
| Store | What to Get There |
|---|---|
| Home Depot | Plywood, generators, batteries, flashlights, tarps, sandbags |
| Lowe's | Same storm-prep lineup as Home Depot, plus propane and coolers |
| Ace Hardware | Smaller footprint but faster in/out for batteries and basic tools |
| Walmart | Water, non-perishable food, ice, batteries, and a pharmacy counter |
| Costco | Bulk water and food, but membership required and lines grow fast pre-storm |
| CVS Caremark | Prescription refills, first-aid supplies, over-the-counter medicine |
| Walgreens | Same pharmacy-first role as CVS, some 24-hour locations |
| 7-Eleven | Ice, fuel, and snacks - some locations run on generator power |
In-demand storm items sell out fast fleet-wide once a warning is issued - checking a store's normal hours here is still useful, but call ahead or check its app for stock before making a special trip.
During the Storm: Closures Follow the Power
Once severe weather actually arrives, the rulebook changes completely. A store's posted hours become irrelevant the moment its power goes out - and in most cases, no power means no open sign, regardless of what day or time it is. Large chains like Walmart and Kroger sometimes have backup generators at select locations, but this isn't universal, and even generator-equipped stores often run limited hours or a reduced footprint (registers and refrigeration only, aisles dark) rather than full service. Stores directly in a storm's path - especially anywhere under a mandatory evacuation order - close entirely and stay closed until local officials say it's safe to reopen.
Pharmacies: The Exception Worth Knowing
CVS and Walgreens both treat storm prep as part of their core business - if you need a prescription refilled before evacuating or riding out a storm at home, call ahead, since some locations will do emergency refills even without a new prescription during a declared disaster. Selected 24-hour pharmacy locations are also more likely to have backup power than a standard grocery or department store, making them one of the more reliable options if the power is already out nearby.
24-Hour Convenience Stores: Hit or Miss
7-Eleven markets itself around round-the-clock availability, and some locations genuinely do have generator backup specifically to stay open when the power grid doesn't. That said, it's a location-by-location decision made by the individual franchise owner, not a chain-wide guarantee - a 7-Eleven a mile from you might be running on generator power while another nearby location goes fully dark. See the Late Night Store Hours guide for more on which chains typically stay open after dark on a normal day, separate from storm conditions.
After the Storm: Reopening Isn't Instant
Once the worst has passed, stores don't all flip back on at once. Reopening depends on when a location gets power restored, whether the building took damage, and whether roads nearby are clear enough for delivery trucks and staff to get in. Grocery stores and pharmacies tend to prioritize reopening fastest since demand is highest right after a storm - ice, water, and generator fuel are usually the first things back in stock. Department and specialty stores often take longer since they're a lower priority for both the store and its customers in the first days after an outage.
How to Check Before You Drive Over
During active severe weather, a store's normal listed hours on this site (or anywhere else) may not reflect what's actually happening at that specific location. The most reliable options are calling the store directly, checking its app or website for a storm-specific notice, or checking the chain's social media - many grocery and pharmacy chains post real-time closure updates during major weather events. Once things return to normal, our Store Finder and Open Right Now tools go back to reflecting standard hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do grocery stores stay open during a hurricane or storm warning?
Usually yes, right up until conditions turn dangerous - then they close a few hours ahead of the worst weather so staff can get home. Stores directly in a storm's path may close a full day in advance; stores just outside the warning area often stay open with picked-over shelves.
What happens to store hours if the power goes out?
A store without power is closed no matter what its posted hours say. A handful of pharmacy chains and some 24-hour convenience stores have backup power for registers and lights, but most grocery, department, and big-box stores stay closed until utility power comes back.
Which stores are best for last-minute storm supplies?
Home Depot and Lowe's cover plywood, generators, and batteries. Walmart and grocery stores cover water, food, and ice. CVS and Walgreens are the fastest stop for medication and first-aid. Shop a day or two ahead - the most in-demand items sell out fast once a warning is issued.
Is 7-Eleven open during a power outage?
It depends on the location. Some 7-Eleven stores have generator backup built in specifically to stay open during outages, but it's a franchise-by-franchise decision, not a chain-wide guarantee.