I am one of those who will repack emergency kits once year. I will use the contents little at a time as the "season" changes. Therefore when hurricane season was here I usually would go shopping to refill when the first storm poked its evil little head my way. (this was when I lived in FL...now my system has changed a bit since I am in the mountains)

I am thinking most of these people see a storm and another one behind it...and then!!! another one behind that one!!! So they realized they have nothing aside for emergencies so...they shop.

Not that it is what is going on...but at least people are being prepared.

I was in S Florida when a hurricane hit that was SUPPOSED to be a T-storm (Cat 1 at the most) We were slammed!!! No power for weeks (personally 1 week), windows blown out of buildings, roofs blown across the neighborhood, trees down everywhere...etc! (in fact we LOST an entire mtbike trail...yeah it was GONE!) I am glad I prepared for that...I did not have to go begging for water at the park thank goodness! Cause it was crowded!!!

Hope you got your sandwich with little chaos....now don't forget to be prepared and stay safe! and most important...stay patient hehe