'I wouldn't worry': OKC metro stores seeing toilet paper panic-buying

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) –  OKC metro stores say they're seeing an increase in shoppers buying toilet paper in bulk, despite reassurances there's no threat of a shortage.

Social media posts link the concerns to a major port strike that economists warn could have an impact on rising product costs; and shortages but not on toilet paper distribution.

"If somebody has a problem, they sort of put it on Facebook and next thing you know, it's spread all over the place and for no reason at all," said Midwest City resident, Richard Anderson.

The lack of an actual problem tied to the port strike is because a majority of toilet paper consumed in the U.S. actually comes from factories within the country (including some factories in Oklahoma); as well as neighboring countries like Canada or Mexico. Shipments from those countries often come by truck or train, which would not be impacted by a port strike.

"All the shelves are full, everything is stocked," said Anderson, who told News 4 employees he rushed to the Midwest City Sam's Club Wednesday after his wife heard about concerns.

His wife told News 4 she had read about concerns in Oklahoma online, and News 4 made note of several viral social media posts circulating around the state claiming shoppers are buying out toilet paper at stores.

Hours after Anderson's trip, a News 4 employee called the Midwest City Sam's Club which told them it was out of toilet paper for the day, but expecting more tomorrow.

The Sam's Club on Memorial Road in Oklahoma City told a News 4 employee it still had toilet paper Wednesday.

The Costco Wholesale location in Oklahoma City was out of toilet paper Wednesday, but the Moore location had some.

All of the locations contributed the temporary outage to panic-buying habits from shoppers.

"I wouldn't worry about it," said Anderson. "It's still going to be coming in."

The American Forest and Paper Association released a statement October 1 on the strike, noting it will have serious consequences and impact industries like its own that relies heavily on port activity for exporting goods; but the statement does not mention imports.