Flashlights, lots of bottled waters and canned goods are all important things to stockpile before a big storm. But what about a brightly colored, hurricane-themed cake to liven things up?

Many people throughout the South are preparing for Hurricane Dorian to make landfall as it barrels towards Puerto Rico, Florida and Georgia. And while some headed out to the grocery store to buy the necessary provisions, a few shoppers visiting one Publix store were greeted with a surprising display of cakes echoing the theme of a mighty storm.

On Wednesday, a tweeter posted a photo of the Florida-based grocery chain's bakery case stocked with cakes decorated for Dorian.

A Publix hurricane cake. If this ain’t the most Floridaest thing ever lol pic.twitter.com/WnU5HyezP4 — Beyonce’s Thigh Meat (@AyanaTheDIVA) August 29, 2019

The ones pictured were topped with the swirling eye of the storm in rainbow icing. Big letters on the sides of the cake read, "Go away." Other tweeters saw similar baked goods at the same store with different designs. One was a giant chocolate chip cookie decorated with an image of the storm over the state of Florida.

Do you know what makes living through all of these hurricanes in Florida easier to stomach? A nice “Dorian”- themed cookie cake and a glass of milk! Be prepared and stay safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/OTdTKyXQJ0 — Jim Williams (@jim_space1) August 29, 2019

As photos of the cakes started circulating around social media, several people said they didn't find them very funny.

@Publix bad look, guys. We need to move away from hurricane parties, toward go-bag-water-flashlights-and-shutters checklists. https://t.co/G18JEv7Ka2 — ~ Feral Church Lady in Pearls ~ (@bravegirl01) August 29, 2019

Other just aren't sure what to think, while others found the designs very insensitive.

They’ll be great to eat if you still have a home left! — S c h u g i (@ianweatherell) August 29, 2019

A handler for the Publix customer service account, PublixHelps, apologized to tweeters who weren't pleased with the creations.

"It is never our goal to offend anyone with the products we offer and I apologize that we let you down. Individual locations did make some of the hurricane cakes you’ve seen and I will personally share your feedback on this cake design," they wrote.

Many people supported Publix, however, and defended the grocery store staff for having a sense of humor under difficult circumstances.

I love your cakes! All your bakeries are awesome. And Hurricane Cakes are funny. Times are stressful, people need to lighten up. Thank you for always being a great store with great employees! Never change Publix! #Publix #HurricaneCakes #HurricaneDorian — Grace Vasquez (@itsYourGrace) August 30, 2019

I want a Publix cake right now, hurricane-shaped or not #Dorian — Irina (@qua_irina) August 31, 2019

This isn't the first time the chain has received backlash (and praise) for making hurricane-themed treats. In 2017, customers shopping at one Publix location snapped pics of cakes decorated for Hurricane Irma.

Though cakes are meant to be sweet confections, this isn't the first time bakers from major chains have left a sour taste in customers' mouths.

Last fall, one mom picked up a cake for her 2-year-old's birthday party from Walmart only to find they had written "loser" on it with icing. And another Walmart shopper was reduced to tears when she realized her daughter's special graduation cake was actually made out of styrofoam.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: