Storm weeks disrupt inbound suppliers and outbound branch transfers at the same time. Branches closest to coastal routes feel it first; inland branches feel it when the central warehouse holds trucks for safety.
Build a short list of storm-critical SKUs—items your buyers refuse to wait on—and size buffers only for that list. Inflating every SKU “just in case” fills aisles with goods that still move slowly after the weather clears.
Stage buffers at the warehouse and at one inland branch that can feed neighbors by road when coastal routes pause. Dual staging beats stuffing every storefront with the same contingency pile.
Write a draw-down rule before the season starts: how many days after the last warning cancel before excess returns to the warehouse or is offered on a short promotional push. Without a draw-down rule, temporary buffers become permanent clutter.
Review last year’s leftovers with branch managers each spring. Their floor memory of what sat untouched is often sharper than summary spreadsheets alone.