Oklahomans Getting Winter Ready

People are stocking up on groceries and buying shovels and salt just in case a snow storm pounds Oklahoma City next week. Businesses are also preparing for the worst by filling the demand.

One metro store reports a man buying 15 bags of salt on Thursday.

"Today we've trucks in most of our locations unloading…sand, snow shovels, and ice melt…for the windshields," Ace Hardware store manager Mike Bogle said.

At Ace Hardware in northwest Oklahoma City, there's been a steady stream of people buying the snow necessities, including a dad preparing for some winter fun with his kids.

"Usually, if it snows once a year, [my kids will] go sledding and have a good time with it," Ace customer Tony Laws said. "[I] figured if we waited until it snows, there won't be any [sleds] left."

12/20/2012 Related Story: Christmas Day Snow Storm Still Headed For Oklahoma

If Christmas 2012 is anything like Christmas 2009, people will want plenty of groceries inside their homes.

If you live in Oklahoma, chances are you have bought food that has been stored inside a 830,000 sq. ft. facility near Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. Associated Wholesale Grocers supplies food to about 230 grocery stores in the state.

"So far, it's just a wait and see," Steve Lindley with the distribution center said.

The distribution company has emergency crisis plans for before, during and after a winter storm to keep the supply line moving.

"We have already contacted stores to see if they want special trucks delivered and if they have enough stuff on stock," Lindley said.

Because Christmas is on Tuesday, many stores are requesting extra deliveries for this weekend in advance of any chance of snow and ice.

"If it's snowing out, we want to be here to take care of our communities," Bogle said.

Whenever the forecast calls for snow, employees say the stores can get very busy. So, it's important to plan in advance.