Home Depot Inc., Lowe's Cos. and other home-improvement retailers are rushing supplies into Florida in Irma's wake, an effort critical to rebuilding efforts as well as their quarterly sales. Big-box retailers have become increasingly intertwined with recovery efforts after natural disasters, working to restock supplies for local residents, first responders and area officials. Both Lowe's and Home Depot have access to vast supplies of building materials, power generators and other needed products, as well as the infrastructure to keep them in stock. Home Depot and Lowe's shares rose around 4% over the last two weeks as investors anticipated upticks in hurricane-related sales. "We utilize our entire supply chain because speed is so important to help communities restore," said Peter Capel, vice president of field merchandising for Home Depot.