From firewood to kerosene and propane tanks, many staple items for backup heat and cooking are flying off store shelves across the valley this week ahead of the potential for what could be a major winter storm.
Many shoppers are finding some items are already sold out.
SValleyNow talked to one local shopper in Kimball on Wednesday afternoon searching for a generator at a local discount store, only to find that most of them in the price range they could afford were already sold out with no new shipments expected ahead of the storms.
Residents across the tri-state area are starting to get ready, following guidance from local agencies to help families stock up on essentials.
Emergency officials in Tennessee say winter storms like we’ve seen in the past can knock out power and keep people inside for days. They recommend keeping enough nonperishable food, water and medications to last three days. They also say to make sure your home has an updated first aid kit and to charge electronic devices in advance, the county says.
At the Lowe’s in Kimball, customers streamed through the doors, many buying extra kerosene tanks and new heaters. Others searched for faucet covers and pipe insulation to insure they’re plumbing is safe from the predicted bone-chilling cold forecast for part of the weekend into next week combined with the possibility of power outages that would result in no heat in their homes.
Area grocery stores have seen a surge in shoppers over the past week, too, as residents prepare for the potential storm.
We spoke to one shopper at the Kimball location of Food City who said they weren’t panic-buying, but just stocking-up on a few staples in the event of lost power along with purchasing their regular groceries. Another shopper said they weren’t too worried, having survived the ‘Blizzard of ’93’ and the ice storm that crippled much of the Sequatchie Valley in 1996, they were well-versed in these situations and had a wood stove along with a gas grill on a covered porch they could use to prepare meals==along with storing cold foods and perishables in snow or ice-packed coolers outdoors.
From all accounts most of our local grocery stores were seeing some staple items flying off shelves, but as of Wednesday afternoon, there were still plenty of basic items left.
State officials in several southern states have also released a timeline for storm preparation. Officials say preparation should begin a few days out by making sure you have enough supplies for your home and car and getting fuel for your vehicle and any emergency heat sources.
The day before possible winter weather, they recommend making sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and bringing outdoor pets inside. During and after the storm, they say to properly ventilate heat sources and check on neighbors and family members as conditions change, the agency says.
Stay with SValleyNow and our local radio stations — WEPG 910 AM / 104.9 FM The River in Marion County and WSDQ 1190 AM / 93.3 FM Country Roads in Sequatchie County for the latest local updates.