Flooding Shuts Stores, Impacts Deliveries

MARK HAMSTRA

BENNINGTON, Vt. — A Hannaford Bros. supermarket here was among the handful of supermarkets in the Northeast that remained closed Monday after the severe flooding in the state that accompanied Hurricane Irene.

"We're very fortunate to have only one store that remains closed," Mike Norton, a spokesman for the Delhaize-owned chain, which is based in Scarborough, Maine, told SN Monday.

He said he was unsure when the flooded store would reopen, although he noted that the water had receded and workers were cleaning up the store on Monday. He said only three Hannaford stores were operating on generator power late Monday, after "dozens" had lost power at varying times throughout the storm.

Likewise, only one Shaw's store — in Ludlow, Vt. — remained closed by late Monday, according to Luke Friedrich, a spokesman for Minneapolis-based Supervalu, parent of the Shaw's banner.

"We're working to see what the damage is, and we're also seeking to get essentials like water and formula to people in the area," he said.

Friedrich said all Shoppers Warehouse and Farm Fresh locations in the Maryland and the Virginia Beach area had reopened, although like Shaw's, some were still operating under generator power.

Big Y, Springfield, Mass., said one store was still closed on Monday in New Milford, Conn.

Schenectady, N.Y.-based Price Chopper Supermarkets said on Facebook early Monday it was attempting to restock stores but was having trouble getting deliveries to some stores in Vermont and parts of upstate New York.