Widespread power outages, icy conditions hobble food supply

A series of winter storms and widespread power outages gripping Texas and other states not used to such extreme low temperatures are creating big challenges in the nation's food supply networks.

Grocery chains like Walmart and Publix have been forced to close some stores either because of lack of power or lack of workers. And at locations that remain open, customers complain of long lines outside and then empty shelves once brimming with water, bread and milk when they get inside. Texas grocery chain H-E-B, for example, closed some stores and is limiting customer purchases of items like brisket and propane tanks.

The power outages have caught plenty of people unprepared, like Jon Reilly, who says he always keeps a month's supply of canned food on hand for hurricanes. But on Wednesday, his daughter and wife waited 20 minutes in line outside of a grocery store in Corpus Christi, Texas, only to come out with bread and water. They found no milk, cheese or meat. He's also running low on propane, which he's using to power up the outdoor grill for cooking.

“We thought it was going to be cold,“ said Reilly. “We didn't expect to not have power for a week."

Rodney Giles, 35, of the Woodlands, Texas, went out to get steak to grill for his family on Tuesday. But he ended up waiting in line for two hours outside his local H-E-B. When he got inside, the only things available were tofu, oat milk and other things he didn’t want. But after living through several hurricanes and the pandemic, he hopes the store's stock will improve soon.

“Even during the pandemic here in March, the first day the shelves were empty, but the next day they were fully stocked,” Giles said.

Grocery retailers in Texas and in other parts of the South are used to hurricanes that can force them to shut down for a few days. But this week's massive...