Lumber shortage could hamper hurricane preparations this summer Commercial sawmills shutdown during pandemic NBC News Channel Posted at 2:56 PM, May 21, 2021 and last updated 2021-05-21 16:27:42-04 WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. â Hurricane season starts in less than two weeks, and Florida residents need to start thinking about preparations before a storm forms. However, one issue that could hamper normal preparations is an Florida residents know that when a hurricane is forecast to hit the Sunshine State, the situation can get chaotic at grocery stores and building supply stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. As a storm approaches, people look to stock up on supplies and buy wood to board up their house and protect their possessions.