Convenience stores across the southeast are grappling with the effects of Hurricane Helene, which on Thursday hit the Florida Gulf Coast. Since then, several states have declared emergencies including Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Enmarket, a c-store chain based in Savannah, Georgia, on Friday posted to Facebook that many of its locations were still open, although some did not have fuel.
“To our neighbors, customers, team members and friends, we understand the devastating impact last night had on the communities we serve across the southeast. Several of our locations are currently closed due to power outages, but we are working diligently to resume essential services as soon as possible,” the post said. “In the meantime, please take care of yourselves, your families, and your neighbors as we all work toward recovery.”
Pilot Flying J, Knoxville, Tennessee, temporarily closed some locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia, it said Thursday, while others were open on generators.
- Pilot Co. is No. 15 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by total number of company-owned stores. Enmarket is No. 55 and Circle K owner Alimentation Couche-Tard is No. 2.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been impacted by Hurricane Helene,” Pilot Co.’s COO Brad Anderson posted to LinkedIn. “Seeing the utter devastation brought on by the storm has been difficult, and I cannot image the sense of loss felt by so many communities across the south. I encourage everyone impacted by the storm to always stay alert and take precautions to protect yourself and loved ones.”
Anderson went on to thank store team members for calmly helping others, offering hope and “safely welcoming guests when they have nowhere else to go.”
An updated list of Pilot’s store openings and closing can be found here.
Circle K, owned by Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, said Saturday it was working to reopen stores in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene wherever it was safe to do so.
“Our teams are working hard to ensure that we are there for our neighbors with the essentials they need during this challenging time as soon as possible. Stay safe,” Circle K posted to Facebook.
Hurricane Helene was a category 4 hurricane that made landfall Thursday night along the Florida Gulf Coast, according to the National Weather Service. Helene brought damaging winds across Georgia and the western Carolinas, along with unprecedented rainfall and flooding, the service said. It has since been downgraded to a tropical storm.
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