Stores mobbed as people prepare for storm

LEWISTON — With estimates for much of Central Maine around 14 to 20 inches of snowfall Tuesday and winds of 30 mph, residents, businesses and government offices are bracing for a blizzard.

To make matters even more ominous, the Weather Channel predicts “thunder snow” as the storm kicks into gear around noon.

As a general rule, grocery stores get mobbed the day before a big storm and Monday was no different. At Hannaford supermarket in Auburn, cars circled for parking, tucked in beside the building and parked on Spring Street.

Inside, customers stared at lists while others jockeyed for position to get to coveted items. Some carts looked like shoppers were planning for the Super Bowl, filling up on beer, chips and soda.

Others had obviously watched a couple episodes of “Survivorman,” opting for flats of water and no fewer than a dozen cans of Chef Boyardee’s best.

Trina Tripp of New Gloucester looked relieved as she pushed her supplies to her car.

As for her stockpile approach to the blizzard, Tripp had a plan: “A couple of big meals but mostly munchies.” Characterizing the atmosphere in the store, Tripp said it was “crazy in there.”

Kendra Cyr appeared almost peaceful as she made her way around the aisles. The employee of Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta said she may have to find a way to work on Tuesday.

“They’ve already told me if I can’t make it in, they might come get me if they need me,” she said.

Cyr said she did stock up on water, as well as groceries and nonperishables in case of a power outage. She also intends to go home and draw water from the tap.

“Just years of experience, I guess,” she said.

Joanne Potvin of Androscoggin Unified Emergency Management Agency put it succinctly in a message to the Sun Journal: “This is Maine and it’s winter — it snows in Maine in the wintertime.”

Potvin said she’s already talked with the Red Cross about the possible need for shelters.

“As long as people do what they’ve been told to do — i.e. stay off the road, have their home preparedness kits ready, exercise caution when using space heaters and generators to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning — all should be well,” Potvin said.

The National Weather Service on Monday warned about the severity of the storm.

“If you are stranded outdoors, it could be potentially life threatening,” the site said. It warned of whiteout conditions “making travel extremely dangerous.”

“Do not travel,” the NWS warned. “If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you — if you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.”

dmcintire@sunjournal.com

According to the National Weather Service, 3 to 6 inches of snow will accumulate overnight Monday with blizzard conditions likely during the day Tuesday.

Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely dangerous, if not impossible, and motorists are urged to stay off the roads. The Weather Service urges people who must travel to have a winter survival kit in the car, and to remain with the car if stranded.

Temperatures will be in the teens and single digits, combined with northerly winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 50 mph, leading to bitterly cold wind chills.

Temperatures will range from 8 to 17 degrees, with wind chill making it feel as cold as 9 below.

Snow accumulations are expected to be 18 to 24 inches, with more snow to the south and east. Snowdrifts could pile up as high as 10 feet in some areas because of high winds.

Snow will wind down late Tuesday, but linger into Wednesday.

Blizzard warnings will remain in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

#SJBlizzard

The weather wonks have promised a historic blizzard Tuesday. Does it feel historic to you? Or just cold? We want you to share your observations, experiences and photos with the Sun Journal online. We have many options: