MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A port worker strike that's seen 50,000 longshoremen walk off the job is sending some shoppers in the Mid-South into panic mode. Many stores are now putting in orders for extra supplies from their warehouses because of shoppers over-buying, emptying shelves and packing stores. "Another customer in here just told me the whole meat section was wiped out," said Kristal Hillie, who was shopping at the Super Lo grocery in Southaven. US could see shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike drags on But a local economist says that's not necessary. Dr John Gnuschke says impacts of the strike will not be visible at the grocery store right away.  "Most of those goods are produced in the United States, so anything produced in the U.S. is not going to be a problem at all," Gnuschke said. "Trucking and distribution is huge in Memphis. Those types of businesses can be impacted." Restaurants like Bala's Bistro in Whitehaven shared online that the strike is devastating and already driving up prices for imports. "It's been 70 years since they had a strike so that's a quite a long time for any agreement to last," Gnuschke said.  Rapper BlocBoy JB dozes off at busy intersection with loaded gun in his lap, THP says In the meantime, he made clear, do not panic. "There will be workarounds, there will be ways to get goods and services into the U.S.," he said.