In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Charleston has become an unexpected hub for storm recovery supplies, as survivors from as far away as western North Carolina, northern Georgia, and eastern Tennessee flock to the city in search of much-needed resources. The demand for generators, gas cans, and other essential items has surged, overwhelming local stores such as Ace Hardware on Folly Road. Store manager Jimmy Biernacki explained that while Charleston wasn’t directly hit by the storm, they have been inundated with calls and visits from people in desperate need of supplies.
Despite Charleston’s distance from the storm’s epicenter, the city has faced shortages of essential hurricane relief items like gas cans, chain saws, and generators. These supplies, typically slow sellers until a hurricane is in the forecast, have flown off the shelves since Helene made landfall. Biernacki shared that his store quickly sold out of its initial stock of generators and has struggled to keep up with demand due to manufacturers running out of inventory.
Local customers have also been impacted by these shortages, with many trying to buy items to donate to relief efforts or deliver directly to family members affected by the storm. For instance, Lauren and Allen Davis, a Charleston-area couple, faced challenges finding a generator for elderly relatives in western North Carolina after their generator broke down. After visiting several local stores, they managed to secure one through an online order — just in time, as it turned out to be one of the few remaining available.
The situation has left store managers like Biernacki in a difficult position, as they have had to turn away customers in dire need of supplies. Despite this, hardware stores in the Charleston area have been coordinating their efforts to share inventory availability and direct people to where supplies might still be found. The community’s response highlights the widespread and far-reaching effects of Hurricane Helene, with survivors traveling long distances and facing significant challenges as they try to rebuild their lives.
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