Empty shelves in the meat department at the Save On Foods grocery store in the Brocklehurst neighbourhood of Kamloops, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

Some grocery stores in Kamloops and the Okanagan are already seeing the consequences of broken supply routes after a powerful rain storm washed out sections of major highways connecting the Interior to the Lower Mainland and caused severe flooding in several communities.

The Save On Foods store on the North Shore in Kamloops has empty shelves today, Nov. 16, specifically in the meat, dairy, produce and toilet paper sections.

The toilet paper section at a Save On Foods in Kamloops, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

Some residents are reporting cases of panic buying, a repeat of the panic buying event triggered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, prompted by fear and anxiety.

Long line ups have also been reported at the Kamloops and Kelowna Costcos today.

READ MORE: Kelowna shoppers increasingly frustrated as COVID-19 panic buying makes getting the basics harder

Bryan Koll was stocking up on food supplies at Superstore in Kamloops today.

"I heard the Coquihalla might be shut down for weeks," Koll said. "I filled up my deep freezer and am stocking up in case... things are flying off the shelves pretty quickly."

Supplies may be further stretched by the influx of evacuees who began arriving yesterday seeking refuge from the major flooding event in Merritt.

READ MORE: iN VIDEO: Flooding, mudslides cut off B.C. Interior from Lower Mainland

An empty produce section at the Save On Foods grocery store in the Brocklehurst neighbourhood of Kamloops, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

While some roads have reopened many remain closed, including Highway 5 between Merritt and Hope, and it is unclear when the routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior will be fully restored.

"At this time, all shipments in and out of the Lower Mainland are on hold based on the current road conditions," Save On Foods said in an emailed statement. "We are exploring all avenues to get product to our stores as quickly as possible.

"We’re asking our customers to maintain normal shopping habits. This will help our team members keep the shelves full for everyone. We understand that these are uncertain times and many people just want to do what’s right for their families."

— This story was updated at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, to include comment from Save On Foods

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