Some stores close, others plan to be open during Laura's wrath

Some area grocery and convenience stores will be closing early today in anticipation of high winds and heavy rains from the approaching Hurricane Laura.

Walmart will keep its regular operating hours today and tomorrow, a store associate said.

All area Y-Not Stop stores will close by 7 p.m. The stores' kitchens will stop cooking by 6 p.m., Y-Not Marketing Director Amanda St. Romain said. Stores will reopen "as soon as it is safe to do so," she continued. "We will be monitoring conditions constantly."

She said the company will post a notice on Facebook when the stores will reopen.

As of Wednesday morning, Walgreen's in Marksville was also planning to maintain regular business hours. However, there was to be a conference call with state stores at 3 p.m. today to decide if that plan needs to be altered.

CVS Pharmacy in Marksville had also not changed its hours, but noted that was subject to change.

Harvest Foods in Marksville is montioring weather conditions, but as of Wedneday morning had not altered its operating hours.

Piggly Wiggly in Simmesport will close at 6 p.m. today and is not sure whether the store will open Thursday, which will be the peak of Hurricane Laura's impact on this area. Plans today are to open, but a final decision will be made Thursday morning, a store spokesman said.

Lyons Market In Bunkie will maintain regular business hours unless there is a power outage, store owner Paul Bellow said.

While it is not known how the approaching storm will affect other businesses, Avoyelles Today will post inforamation provided to us.

For example, Nanny's Restaurant is prepared to remain open even if there is a power outage by having a generator on standby.

All branches of Cottonport Bank will close at 4 p.m. today and are planning to open at noon Thursday, subject to change based on conditions.