Stores stay open late after floods

Most major hardware chains can have what you need within days.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
It's a familiar scene on sales floors throughout the Mahoning Valley: customers snatching up sump pumps, generators, mops, cleaning supplies and more.
Hardware stores in the region are staying open later -- in some cases all night long -- in an effort to help local businesses and residents deal with the effects and aftereffects of flooding.
As the remnants of Tropical Storm Frances left the area Thursday, local store managers were seeing customers line their aisles to stock up on supplies.
"Sump pumps, dehumidifiers, wet/dry vacs ... you name it," said Mike Moore, assistant manager of Home Depot in Niles.
"So far, though, we aren't having any problems keeping items in stock," he continued. "We have ample supply of all products."
Open all night
Moore noted the store stayed open all night Wednesday night to handle customers' needs, similar to last July, when portions of Trumbull County were hit hard by two heavy rains. Unlike last summer, however, flooding and water damage is not localized, but spread up and down the entire East Coast.
But Moore noted that as a national chain, Home Depot was able to keep its East Coast stores stocked with generators, plumbing supplies and more.
"Last year, we were able to get shipments from Chicago," he said. "If we need to, we can always get items shipped in within 24 hours from stores as far away as California."
Busier earlier
Steve Grappy, an assistant manager for Ace Hardware of Columbiana, said his store hasn't seen as many customers looking for flood-related items as earlier this month.
"Most people got everything squared away last time," when severe flooding hit the Lisbon area, he said.
So far, he said, the local store hasn't had to request emergency shipments of supplies from its warehouse in Perrysburg, near Toledo.
"I think some of the people at Ace have seen these types of things before, so they were able to pay attention and order things in advance," he said.
In Boardman, Bill Stine said the Lowe's Home Improvement Store had run out of some items, such as generators and sump pumps, by Wednesday night, but the shelves were restocked by Thursday afternoon.
"We can't seem to keep enough in stock, but we have everything replenished rather quickly," said Stine, an administrative manager with the store.
Open late
Employees kept the store open late Wednesday night, as well, to help customers who were preparing for the worst, he said. Boardman, like Trumbull County, was hit hard by floodwaters last summer.
Even if the store runs low on supplies, Stine said, Lowe's has 24 warehouses across the country that can ship out products within hours.
"Those stores in other parts of the country that aren't being affected like we are here in the East can help up by sending what we need," he said.
slshaulis@vindy.com