Walmart President and CEO John Furner detailed how his company created “a place to recover” for those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
These two storms left millions without power or cell service in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Airlines canceled flights, and stores closed, including an estimated 270 Walmarts, leaving many stranded without resources. The company has a command center running 24/7 to help these victims find local parking lots where they can find power and supplies.
“I said this a couple of days ago. We have about 100 locations where our parking lots have become a place of hope. A place where people can come to recover, to get a hot meal, which is so important at a time like this, to get their prescription filled, just the basic necessities that people need,” Furner said on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
The Walmart Foundation increased its humanitarian commitment from $6 million to $10 million for Hurricane Helene victims. It was in the top 15 most powerful storms to make landfall in the United States and affected the areas where the company has operated for decades.
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“This is one of the most widespread and destructive storms I’ve seen in my 31 years with Walmart. But I’ve also seen over 31 years that Walmart associates always step up when needed. It’s who we are and who we will continue to be. We’ll support people and communities until they’ve recovered,” Furner said in a statement.
Over 200 people have been reported dead as a result of the two hurricanes. Another 2,000 remain missing.