Weather
Columbia Hardware Stores Help Residents Prepare For Winter Storm
Howard County residents have been stocking up on shovels, bags of salt, sleds, wood pellets and kerosene heaters ahead of the winter storm.
COLUMBIA, 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 Columbiafor 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 Columbiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In anticipation of the storm, Howard County residents descended upon grocery stores and hardware stores to stock up on winter storm essentials.
Nick with Westlake Ace Hardware at 8895 McGaw Rd. in Columbia told Patch that as of Thursday afternoon, they were sold out of shovels and sleds. They had a handful of bags of salt sitting on three pallets, but those were expected to be sold out by the time they closed for the day.
"Our kerosene heaters are out of stock but we do have a good amount of electric heaters," Nick said. "People have been in and out all day grabbing salt and wood pellets.
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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