Publix to install backup generators....

[CHRISTY]

NOT SURE IF YOU GUYS HEARD ABOUT THIS BUT I JUST WANTED TO POST THE ARTICLE!The next time a major hurricane strikes South Florida, shoppers should be able to find their local Publix stocked with milk, cheese and ice even before the power returns.
Publix Super Markets announced plans Monday to install 400 generators in stores throughout the chain, including all 146 stores in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. The generators will power the entire store. Another 175 quick-connecting docking stations will be placed at stores in less hurricane-prone areas.
The initiative puts Publix ahead of a proposed Miami-Dade County ordinance that would require an alternative source of power for all food stores of more than 40,000 square feet. Broward County has considered possible requirements for targeted retailers, but has nothing officially proposed.
The Lakeland-based supermarket chain announced at a news conference attended by Miami-Dade County officials that it will spend $100 million on the generators, which will be installed in two phases by July 2007. Phase 1 is to be finished by July 1 and include about 120 stores, many of them in South Florida.
''This is something our communities are asking for,'' said Bill Fauerbach, vice president of retail operations for Publix's Miami division. ``Publix being open for business after a hurricane is often the first sign that things are getting back to normal in our community.''
Publix executives say the generator installations are part of an effort to be good corporate citizens, but it's also a logical business decision. The chain says it lost more than $60 million in food that had to be thrown out after four hurricanes hit Florida in 2004.
The final tally isn't in for 2005, but Publix says it threw away more than 1,200 truck loads of food after Wilma -- more than any one single storm in the company's history.
`DOLLARS AND CENTS'
''To them it's about dollars and cents,'' said Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Joe Martinez after the press conference where he hailed Publix's actions. ``If they're not open, they can't sell food and make any money.''
Martinez is the advocate for a Miami-Dade ordinance that would require all food stores larger than 40,000-square-feet to have an alterative power source, as well as another ordinance targeting gas stations.
Winn-Dixie spokesman Terry Derreberry said the company would not comment on Publix's initiative or any plans of its own regarding generators. Sedano's did not return phone calls seeking comment.
''The private sector should take the lead from Publix,'' said Ben Graber, Broward County mayor.
``It sends a very good message to the public that they care enough that they are willing to spend money to be proactive.''
While Publix and other supermarkets have typically had back-up generators before, they're usually only potent enough to run a few lights in the store, some cash registers and maybe a limited amount of refrigerators. That was sufficient until the climate for hurricanes dramatically changed in 2004.
''In 75 years, we've never had the issues with hurricanes that we have had in the last two years,'' said Maria Brous, a Publix spokeswoman.
A BACK-UP SYSTEM
The company started considering the need for a better back-up system after the 2004 hurricane season, when four storms hit Florida.
But 2005 was the clincher, when Hurricane Wilma left all but 10 of the 236 stores in Publix's Southeast Florida division without power.
Since many parts of South Florida remained without power for a week or more, so did their neighborhood grocery stores.
REPLENISHING SUPPLIES
With shoppers jamming the limited amount of stores that were open, Publix found it difficult to keep replenishing supplies.
''As fast as we could get product, it was flying off the shelves,'' Fauerbach said. ``We couldn't keep up with the demand.''
That shouldn't be the case when Publix finishes installing the permanent and mobile generators. The permanent generators are 500 kilowatts and hold 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, which should be enough to run a store for close to 72 hours. The mobile generators, which hold 860 gallons of diesel fuel, are trailer mounted and will be transported by Publix tractors.
But Martinez cautioned that South Florida residents shouldn't get complacent about hurricane preparedness.
''This is just a fallback plan,'' Martinez said.
``If the store gets flooded or destroyed in a storm, it still isn't going to be open.''
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[Dr. Jonah Rainwater]

Great idea...why didn't they do that after Andrew?

[Javlin]

And he brought it up Replenishment,Cash only?,people fighting over goods.He's right this is only a backup.They will sell everytning within 48-72 hrs and there they will save millions and close the doors till the roads open for replenishment.After Katrina we where the first in our chain(automotive) to open(6days later).We did not see our first order for almost 3-4 wks.Also labor problems will arise and from that comes hours of operation.It will do some good just not a whole lot.

[Typhoon_Willie]

Still it is better than nothing at all...

[skysummit]

All they need to do now is keep their roof!

[MiamiensisWx]

Why isn't Palm Beach County doing the same actions?

[gatorcane]

That's a great question because Palm Beach gets hit far more by major hurricanes than Broward. In fact there has been no major hurricane to make landfall in Broward County for some odd reason. Wilma, which was not even a major here in Palm Beach County knocked out power in Publix all over the place. Could you imagine a major hurricane?

[Javlin]

Still it is better than nothing at all...

Oh I agree the real purpose is the same as the Local Joe though"save money".Stay open long enough to liquidate the perishables.

[ROCK]

this topic is a good one to be moved to the hurricane aftermath & Recovery forum.

[MiamiensisWx]

I agree, ROCK!

[Patrick99]

That's a great question because Palm Beach gets hit far more by major hurricanes than Broward. In fact there has been no major hurricane to make landfall in Broward County for some odd reason. Wilma, which was not even a major here in Palm Beach County knocked out power in Publix all over the place. Could you imagine a major hurricane?

I'm pretty sure it has been just a coincidence that Palm Beach has been hit by majors, Dade has been hit by majors, and Broward has been spared. I think it's just because PB and Dade have more coastline than Broward, and mere luck of the draw. Anyway, I'm glad Publix is doing something...it's a start. If we could somehow get our power grid shored up, we'd be in a lot better shape to make it through an average hurricane.

[weatherwoman132]

lol. I like it how broward has always been spared. BUT, we did get a whole lot of damage from wilma. I can tell you the truth, when katrina was coming, they kept saying, BROWARD, BROWARD, BROWARD....but the katrina heads south, hits miami, and then the keys....boy they didnt see that coming.

[mobal]

I wish some store would do that in Mobile

[Patrick99]

lol. I like it how broward has always been spared. BUT, we did get a whole lot of damage from wilma. I can tell you the truth, when katrina was coming, they kept saying, BROWARD, BROWARD, BROWARD....but the katrina heads south, hits miami, and then the keys....boy they didnt see that coming.

For a time, they were also giving Andrew a pretty good shot of hitting Broward. It wouldn't have taken that much of a jog for it to happen.

[weatherwoman132]

yeah.