LABELLE, Fla.-- LaBelle isn't in the direct path of Hurricane Matthew but many people in the area believe there's no such thing as being over prepared.
"You never know what mother nature is going to hit you with," said Lenore Morales.
Morales spent Wednesday afternoon shopping at the Walmart in LaBelle. She was one of hundreds stocking up on essentials like food and water.
Down the road at the LaBelle Rodeo Grounds, dozens of residents were taking advantage of free sand to safeguard their property.
"We don't know what to expect so we are just kind of preparing for the worst," said Kevin Osborne.
Osborne and his wife just moved to the area from Ohio and said preparing for a storm like Hurricane Matthew is a new experience for them.
"I think we are going to be okay the winds is just a concern and blowing rain that will be our biggest issue," said Osborne.
Whether it's bracing for potential flood waters or stocking up on extra groceries, many agree it doesn't hurt to be extra cautious.
"I've never had anything bad happen to any of my family or property, really bad, bad, even in Andrew I was in Miami for Andrew but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare, I prepare," said resident Dennis Carlson.
