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By Rita LeBleu

Navigating the parking lot of the Walmart Lake Charles Neighborhood Market was a bit treacherous, but once inside, shoppers were able to find what they needed, even bread. Some of the shoppers had heard the latest weather report that puts Francine’s landfall further east than predicted on Monday. Some had not.

“I should have come here yesterday,” Dora Anderson said. “Sam’s was out of water and they’ve just put some out here.”

Store worker Robert confirmed Walmart ran out of water at that location yesterday.

On Anderson’s hurricane-watch food list is sardines, sausage, lots of bread and powdered milk. Cooking is not hampered much by the loss of power because her stove is gas. Anderson also starts “working down” freezer foods when watch and warning reports begin. So does Merlene Hughes.

Hughes moved back to Lake Charles from California before Hurricane Laura — her first hurricane — and it was a Category 4.

“After I leave here, I am going to look for an ice chest,” she said.

A few miles south at Market Basket, shelves looked the same as any other day. There was plenty of milk, bread and water. A U.S. Air Force staff sergeant was filling up his cart for family. His list for must-have food in case the power goes out is charcoal, peanut butter, bread and water.

The three items that folks are most likely to purchase before bad weather strikes and the possibility of losing power are milk, eggs and bread. The first two are perishable, and not everyone who buys it has a gas stove. So, why?

In a 2023 The Atlantic reported that buying perishables before severe weather events may be a matter of psychology. We do what we see others do, said a Duke University behavioral economist. Another psychologist said the purchase is like saying, this storm will be over soon.

Unlike the National Weather Service, local electricity providers don’t know if power will stay on or go off, and if it goes off how long it will take to get workers safely out to make repairs.

With that in mind, here are a few ways to keep foods cool.

Prepare before 

Make sure freezer is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and the fridge is at 40 degrees F or below. Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the power is out. Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately to keep it at a safe temp longer. Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. Freeze gel packs. Group food together in the freezer to help it stay colder longer.

Do this during and after

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The fridge will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for about 48 hours, 24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.