Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner tells ‘Particular Report’ how his firm is offering help to Hurricane Helene victims and stepping up as Hurricane Milton is about to make landfall.
Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner mentioned the retailer’s parking heaps are doubling as an area for storm victims to realize entry to important providers.
Since Hurricane Helene, the 14th strongest U.S. storm in recorded historical past, made landfall as a Class 4 storm on Florida’s west coast late final month, Walmart opened up retailer and Sam’s Membership parking heaps throughout Appalachia and the Southeast to function charging stations so residents can get a scorching meal and water.
HURRICANE MILTON: THEME PARK CLOSURES, GAS SHORTAGE, WALMART PREPS FOR RECOVERY
“Our parking lots have become a place of hope for a lot of people,” Furner mentioned because the state prepares for one more brutal storm.
Walmart hasn’t confirmed what number of parking heaps in Florida are at present being utilized for emergency providers forward of Hurricane Milton.
An aerial view of flood harm wrought by Hurricane Helene alongside the Swannanoa River on Oct. 3, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photograph by Mario Tama/Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
The corporate mentioned it is at present working to arrange staff within the path of Milton, together with providing evacuation help to associates in obligatory evacuation zones.
“We’re also preparing our facilities for the storms and sending in additional emergency supplies and water,” Walmart mentioned, although they’re ready until the storm passes to set these up.
FLORIDA CFO SAYS HURRICANE MILTON’S FINANCIAL TOLL COULD REACH $20 BILLION
Milton, at present a Class 4 storm, is forecast to hit Florida’s west coast on Wednesday.
Heavy rains from hurricane Helene precipitated report flooding and harm on Sept. 28, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photograph by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
In keeping with the Nationwide Hurricane Middle (NHC), the storm is projected to convey with it flash flooding and most wind speeds of as much as 155 mph.
“Ensure you are in your safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding,” the NHC posted on X.
Ticker Safety Final Change Change % WMT WALMART INC. 80.19 +0.47
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Other than opening up its parking heaps, Walmart mentioned it has additionally “been working around the clock with local leaders and relief organizations to assess needs.”It’s also delivering vital assist to almost 100 impacted communities.
