Rock salt hot commodity for shoppers ahead of snowstorm
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- With 24 hours left before the storm, it's safe to say rock salt is at the top of many shoppers' lists.
But stores like Lowe's Hardware in Parkside were out of stock on Thursday night.
"They didn't have any rock salt. All the big boxes are out," said Amy Kitzen.
At Fairmount Hardware, salt was flying off the shelves.
"We did four skids. Each skid contains 48 bags at 50 pounds so do the math," said manager David Arici. "Probably about 8,000 pounds."
That's how many pounds of calcium chloride and salt Arici says he sold in a day.
There was also a mad dash of shoppers at Shop Rite in South Philadelphia on Thursday night.
"There's not a lot of food in there though (and) no salt," said Maria Brown of South Philadelphia.
Some had to settle for the basics. Others opted for less healthy options.
"This is my typical Saturday receipt, I just went on Thursday instead of Saturday," said Lisa Vanore of South Philadelphia.
While residents stocked up on supplies, volunteers at the Yeadon Fire Department prepared their gear for a busy 72 hours ahead.
"We are going to actually have crews start coming in around 6 p.m. tomorrow evening that are pretty much going to be dedicated here until Monday morning," said Chief Craig Jeffries.
Ahead of the storm, police put out a catchy little warning on Wednesday night on social media, a parody of the rapper Drake's hit song "Hotline Bling," warning residents not to use cones to save the parking spot they shoveled out.
"It is a fine to put objects in the street, saving spaces and you could be fined $100," Philadelphia Police Captain Frank Milillo said.
