Hurricane Ian: Publix stores in these Central Florida counties will close early for the storm

ORLANDO, Fla. — Publix locations in seven Central Florida counties will close early on Wednesday due to Hurricane Ian.

Publix officials said locations in Sumter, Orange, Lake (717 N. 14th St., Leesburg and 1120 Bichara Blvd., The Villages), Seminole, Marion, Osceola, and Volusia counties will close at noon on Wednesday.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The grocer previously planned to close those locations at 6 p.m., but moved that time up to noon.

Those locations are expected to stay closed through Thursday and reopen on Friday.

The company said the hours may be adjusted due to storm impacts.

Read: Hurricane Ian: County-by-county guide to shelter locations in Central Florida

Click here for the latest updates.

Video: Last-minute shoppers find some shelves empty as Central Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian As many in Central Florida make last-minute preparations ahead of Hurricane Ian, stores are starting to fill up with last-minute shoppers. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group