Weather
Hardware Stores Help Prince George's Residents Prepare For Winter Storm
Prince George's residents have been stocking up on shovels, bags of salt, sleds, wood pellets and kerosene heaters ahead of the storm.
BOWIE, MD — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of preparedness ahead of this weekend's winter storm and residents have been advised against traveling if possible.
“By declaring a state of preparedness in Maryland, I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the comprehensive preparation of state government ahead of potential impacts related to the incoming weather system,” Moore said. “The safety and security of our residents is our top priority. Please remain vigilant, listen to authorities, use common sense and complete emergency preparations as soon as possible.”
As of Thursday night, the forecasts called for 5 to 10 inches of snow to blanket the region, along with very cold temperatures and arctic winds. Temperatures will feel like its 5 to 10 degrees below zero Friday night through Saturday morning. Cold weather advisories have been issued across much of the area with actual temperatures expected to drop into the single digits Friday night, the National Weather Service said.
Find out what's happening in Bowiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Related: Arctic Cold To Proceed 10+ Inches Of Snow As Winter Storm Aims For MD: New Details
Areas included in the cold weather advisories are the District of Columbia, the city of Baltimore, and the counties of Cecil, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford. The advisory will be in effect from 8 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday.
Find out what's happening in Bowiefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In anticipation of the storm, Prince George's County residents descended upon grocery stores and hardware stores to stock up on winter storm essentials.
Staff members at the Clinton Do It Best Hardware told Patch that as of Thursday afternoon, they were sold out of wood pellets, salt products, snow shovels, spreaders, sleds and had only one or two electric heaters left.
"We don't know how late we'll stay open Saturday and we're normally closed on Sunday. Monday we're unsure of our hours, depending on how much snow we get," store staff member John told Patch.
Stores said there was a nationwide shortage of Ice Melt and local businesses are concerned if they'll have anymore arrive on delivery trucks before the storm starts in Maryland.
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