Md. Stocking Up Ahead Of What Could Be Historic Snow Storm

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Preparing for what could be an historic, crippling storm. A Blizzard Warning and State of Emergency are declared as the storm takes aim at our region.

Derek Valcourt has more on the race to prepare for the blizzard and the impact already being felt by some.

If you've been to a store, you know--the blizzard hasn't even hit yet, and already, we are feeling the effects.

A constant flow through store doors. It's a mad dash to stock up.

"Milk, eggs, bread. That's key, right?" said Ahmed Al Zalzalah, shopper.

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Shelves are looking bare in more than a few places, as folks hunt down all they need to hibernate for a few days.

"I'm not buying $300 worth of food, just trying to pick up the essentials, and I actually stopped by the library and got a bunch of books," said Rita Lucas, shopper.

At Home Depot, the shovels and ice scrapers are long gone. Tons of salt went fast, too.

"If you have commercial properties or stuff like that, if you don't salt the lots and somebody slips, they're liable," one man said.

Liquor stores are also popular.

"Wine's not a bad thing to have. Fireball for my husband," said one woman/

While the pending snow has some businesses booming, many more--like the Towson Diner--expect to lose money.

The blizzard will likely force them to shut their doors in what otherwise could have been a busy weekend.

"Obviously, it's safety reasons. We don't want to put anybody in jeopardy. You prepare for these things, you know these things are coming, so it's just part of the business," said Sam Sevdalis, Towson Diner.

Weekend concerts by country music superstar Garth Brooks--among the many local events postponed or canceled.

And with many area schools closing early or closing altogether on Friday, plenty of parents are planning for a long weekend with their kids.

The weather is also having an impact on several local colleges and universities. Many of them start their spring semesters next week.

For some, the weather is affecting their start dates, and for others, it's impacting the time students have to move into their dorms.