Area hardware stores out of ice melt

After the weekend of freezing rain, Columbia residents won’t be getting much of a break before Tuesday’s snow storm hits. And area hardware stores won’t be able to help residents prepare for it because almost all of them are out of ice melt.

“I’ve called around everywhere but they said there wasn’t any in Columbia,” customer Steve Wilson said.

Around 6 p.m. Monday, Ace Hardware received another supply of the calcium chloride, making it the only store in Columbia to have any.

When customers found out Ace had salt, they rushed over.

“I can’t imagine what it’d be like tomorrow or the day after without salt,” Bill Tenny-Brittian said.

“Dangerous would be the right word,” his wife, Kris Tenny-Brittian agreed.

The couple told ABC 17 News they would buy several bags of salt, even though the price increased.

“It’s either that or slip on your backside,” Bill said.

A manager at Gerbes told ABC 17 News the store would probably get another shipment next week.

But manager at Lowes and Home Depot both said they wouldn’t be getting any more calcium chloride this winter.

It wasn’t just salt stores were low on. Lowes also said it ran out of antifreeze.

Even if residents are able to get salt and clear their driveways, emergency responders are asking residents not to drive Tuesday.

MODOT also issued a No Travel Advisory for Tuesday.