August 30, 2006

Foot traffic inside Lowe's was not heavy on Wednesday, but a manager said it's expected to pick up soon because of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

The store says customers are sure to rush in for corrugated pipes, sump pumps, and generators once Ernesto hits Charlottesville. Lowe's inventory is stocked, and employees are prepared to handle the rush.

There is also a back-up plan in place just in case more supplies are needed.

"Just to be proactive, we get [in touch with] any other areas that aren't hit to start allocating, and re-allocating from other stores to this store, so that we actually have more than enough, so that if we do have a mad rush, we're not trying to play catch-up," said Lowe's Manager Jay Ratcliffe.

Lowe's will also be making staff available to show customers the proper way to use chainsaws, generators, or any other equipment once it is purchased.