Grocery stores see rush as winter storm approaches North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Grocery stores across the Triangle were bustling Wednesday night as a winter storm approached North Carolina.

Shoppers packed aisles and formed long lines at stores like Costco, Publix, and Harris Teeter.

"It's a little nuts right now," one shopper told ABC11.

Some shelves were bare, and essentials like milk and bread were running low or out of stock.

"The carts are running out, parking lots are full," said Rachel Schwab, who was trying to shop ahead of the rush.

She showed ABC11 the only size of two percent milk left, remarking, "This was the only size of two percent milk left. It's little."

Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency as a Winter Storm Watch was issued for all of Central North Carolina from Saturday afternoon through Monday. The storm could bring snow, ice, or sleet, prompting moms like Taylor Lee to prepare early.

"This is a special trip, actually. Preparing for the ice. Well, we did need to go grocery shopping, but it definitely got pushed up a couple of days," Lee said.

She stocked up on necessities and fun snacks to keep her kids occupied if the weather lingered.

"Of course, some treats so that you can send them into the other room with the treats and not feel so guilty," she added.

At a Publix in Downtown Raleigh, Grant Sillman grabbed the one item he needed most.

"Just mainly water-that was the biggest thing," he said.

Sillman, familiar with snow, expressed concern about the potential for ice to damage trees and power lines, which could leave people without power and spoil their groceries.

According to FoodSafety.gov, a full freezer can maintain a safe temperature for about 48 hours if the door stays closed, and food with ice crystals can be safely refrozen. Without that, items like meat, milk, soft cheese, eggs, and fresh-cut fruit must be discarded.

Moms like Lee are hoping their preparations will see them through the storm.

"Making sure that we're stocked full of groceries and that if we get stuck in our house, we have things to do and, you know, backup power sources," she said.

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