Augustans' preparations for Hurricane Ian are in full swing; shoppers are clearing water off grocery store shelves and Savannah River sailors are docking their boats.

The storm, which is currently a Category 5 hurricane, will make its way through Florida Wednesday afternoon. While the storm will weaken before it reaches Augusta, special weather statements have been issued for the area and concerns about wind gusts, flooding and fires are still present.

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Water and Gatorade are in high demand in Augusta and Evans ahead of Hurricane Ian. 

There was a clear deficit of water at the Kroger off Washington Road in Augusta.

However, just across the street at Publix, there was more of a selection.

Out of all of the stores The Augusta Chronicle visited, the Neighborhood Walmart off South Belair Road was running the lowest on water and Gatorade.

"The safety of our associates, customers and members is always our top priority," Walmart said in a release. "Walmart’s Emergency Operations Center is monitoring Hurricane Ian in real-time, assessing the status of our facilities in the path of the storm. We will continue operating as long as it is safe to do so."

A map showing closed locations is available on Walmart's website with the goal of helping customers plan for the storm and possible effects. The map will continue to update in real time to give users the most up to date information available, according to the website.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 219 Walmart stores are closed – primarily in Florida. Only one Walmart store is closed in Georgia, the Walmart Supercenter located on Highway 54 in Peachtree City.

No media releases have been sent out by Kroger or Publix addressing shortages or closures due to the storm.

Augusta Chronicle reporters surveyed all of the locations listed as flood hazard areas in the City of Augusta's Flood Mitigation Plan.

According to the plan, flood hazard areas are found along all waterways, including the Savannah River and urban streams.

The urban streams where flooding has caused the most damage include Rae’s Creek, Cranes Creek, Rock Creek, Augusta Canal, Rocky Creek, and Oates Creek, according to the city.

East Augusta also has some expansive flood-prone areas including the Phinizy Swamp and below the Savannah Lock and Dam, where the Savannah River floodplain is no longer modified by the Levee.

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Augusta Chronicle reporters visited the Savannah River, Phinizy Swamp, Savannah Lock and Dam, Rae's Creek and Cranes Creek, but did not see any sandbags placed.

Richmond County officials have yet to make a statement or release any plans in place for the storm. Richmond County workers told an Augusta Chronicle reporter Wednesday afternoon there were no plans to place any sandbags in preparation for flooding.

Richmond County has not responded to storm-related inquiries.

Columbia County officials released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the county is prepared for the storm and will provide updates.

"Columbia County maintains a perpetual state of readiness for all emergencies, to include those which are weather related," said Shawn Granato, Columbia County EMA director. "Specifically regarding Hurricane Ian, the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) placed the Emergency Operations Center in a warm status as we track current and potential worsening conditions. CCEMA regularly provides updates to all county departments while in constant communication with County Management and GEMA."

The county also provided preparation advice for residents.

"Columbia County citizens should prepare by assembling their emergency supplies and making sure that plans are in place for any persons on medical equipment dependent upon electricity and monitor weather reports from the local media," Granato said. "Columbia County EMA is providing all updates from the National Weather Service via social media."