Empty shelves greet many grocery shoppers

Grocery stores in Morganton are waiting patiently for trucks to arrive with stock for the dairy, frozen, and refrigerated sections. Other stores severely impacted by damage have closed with no reopening dates announced.

Ingles has closed with no reopening date in sight. Associates disclosed the store was severely damaged. The grocery chain is sure the store will be closed for weeks. The Morganton location was flooded when the Catawba River overflowed its banks.

As of Monday afternoon, Food Matters had only a few cases of water left. Frozen items are stocked in the freezer with a sign that items are not safe. The staff anticipates a truck to come Thursday with refrigerated, frozen, and dairy items.

At Aldi, refrigeration systems are back up and working. The store anticipates trucks to arrive Tuesday but could not specify a time of arrival.

Employees at the Food Lion on Burkemont Avenue were seen stocking ice coolers. The store has a two-bag limit for ice. The store is allowing customers to receive up to $50 cash from their debit card when making purchases.