CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Stockpiling pallets of water seems to be a staple of grocery shopping across the Carolinas this past week.

  • Dr. James Bird with Southeast Psych explained we do this out of fear.
  • A May 2018 study gathered grocery store scanner data from 2002-2012, showing a bulk of water, battery and flashlight sales occurring immediately before a hurricane's landfall.
  • An emergency kit should have enough food and water for at least three days.

Iliya Volynskiy said it was sold out in multiple Charlotte stores.

"Walmart yesterday, today it was Harris Teeter," she said.

Dr. James Bird with Southeast Psych explained we do this out of fear.

"If we catastrophize things in our mind at times we tend to think about how can we survive for the longest period of time," said Bird.

A May 2018 study gathered grocery store scanner data from 2002-2012, showing a bulk of water, battery and flashlight sales occurring immediately before a hurricane's landfall. Coastal and wealthier areas are more apt to observe preps. Of course, there are some who don't feel inclined to wipe out the water.

"People that are thinking more realistically, they're thinking more on their logical side of the brain instead of the emotional side of the brain," said Bird.

Still, Bird advised more of a happy medium. An emergency kit should have enough food and water for at least three days.

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