Walmart closes nearly 250 stores across Florida as Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall

As Hurricane Milton is slated to make landfall in Florida Wednesday evening, Walmart is taking precautions by closing stores.

The Category 4 storm is now tracking to hit somewhere south of Sarasota , with winds as fast as 125 mph. Meteorologists are saying this could be one of the most destructive storms on record.

Residents have been urged to evacuate the state, especially as many areas are still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago. Tampa Bay Mayor Jane Castor said those who “choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die .”

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Major retailers are closing up shop across the state to keep workers safe. According to Walmart’s website, 240 stores have been closed as the storm approaches.

The company released in an update: “Teams from across the company are working to support the communities we call home. We're incredibly grateful to our associates on the ground preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.”

It’s closed more than half of stores, as there are 342 Walmarts in the state. The company rarely closes its doors to customers, having only two closed days throughout the year – Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It's unclear when Walmart expects to have the stores open again.

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Publix Supermarkets have also announced that it has modified the working hours of 498 stores across Florida . There are 1,380 Publix locations in the state.

Certain stores in Tampa Bay didn’t open Tuesday or Wednesday, while others in central Florida closed at 6 p.m, Spectrum News 13 reported.

Depending on storm damage, Publix is targeting to reopen stores Thursday.

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