Mid-Missouri races to stock up before winter storm
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Grocery and hardware stores saw packed parking lots Friday as people prepared for a winter storm that will hit Saturday.
"It's pretty busy in there, it's almost like a Black Friday crowd coming on," Westlake ACE Hardware shopper Lance Bezner said. "Everybody's buying everything, but they still have a lot of product left in the store."
Co-owner of Clover's Natural Market Noah Earle told ABC 17 News it's common to see an increase in customers before winter storms.
"Yesterday was probably about as busy as the couple of days preceding Christmas for us," Earle said. "I had several people tell me yesterday that the shelves were cleaned out at other stores, so they came here for a few essentials."
Earle added that the most common essentials to go are bread, eggs, milk, toilet paper and produce for people who want to ensure they have ingredients to make a meal.
Clover's Natural Market customer Mike Macker stopped at the store to get produce and granola bars. Macker told ABC 17 News he plans to stay home during the storm.
"I am always prepared, I have always got a freezer stocked," Macker said.
According to CNN, toilet paper, high-protein and non-perishable foods are good to purchase. It's also important to prepare for any possible power outages by purchasing disposable eating utensils and avoiding frozen or refrigerated foods.
The CDC recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days. It's also important to stock water for pets and a first aid kit for emergencies.
People can also prepare by insulating pipes in their homes and purchasing sand or cat litter to keep inside cars in case they get stuck in the snow. When purchasing snow or ice melt, ACE Hardware advises people to choose them wisely as some melts are dangerous to pets or can damage lawns.
Westlake ACE Hardware also suggests using a tarp or cardboard to cover a car's windshield to help reduce frost.
Earle told ABC 17 News he plans to keep the store open as long as the weather allows but expects people to come in Saturday morning before the storm is expected to hit.
"I ordered up on quite a few things for tomorrow because there'll still be a little bit of shopping time before the actual weather hits," Earle said.
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for this weekend with the possibility of several inches of ice and snow throughout Mid-Missouri. The National Weather Service has put much of the state under a winter storm warning.
