Kentuckiana shoppers stock up on salt, supplies ahead of winter storm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As Kentuckiana braces for another round of winter weather this weekend, retailers across the area are stocking up as shoppers rush to prepare.

At big-box stores and local hardware shops like Brownsboro Hardware, pallets of salt, ice melt and shovels are filling aisles as customers look to stay ahead of potentially hazardous conditions.

“I definitely loaded up on ice melt, windshield washer fluid and a bigger brush,” said Patricia Bennett, who said she believes you can never be too prepared for winter storms. “We’re planning to hunker down to make sure we are not out on the road.”

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At one Louisville Walmart, employees had 15 pallets of salt and ice melt ready as of Wednesday. Store officials said online grocery orders this week are running about three times higher than a typical midweek period, with customers buying more than usual.

“Even if they only need one gallon of milk, they will buy three gallons of milk just to keep them fully prepared,” Miranda Like, a Walmart store manager, said.

Retailers said the surge isn’t limited to customers. Stores are also working to stay ahead of potential delivery delays caused by icy roads or power outages.

“If power goes out, electricity goes out, they can’t get out into the roads, our delivery drivers can’t get out into the roads, so they want to get ahead of all that,” Miranda said.

At Brownsboro Hardware, owner Doug Carroll said he placed a $40,000 order for winter supplies ahead of the forecast. Carroll said demand typically spikes once confidence grows that a storm is on the way.

“I feel like the strongest rush is the day before the event,” Carroll said. “Once the confidence is there that it’s going to storm, we get a huge surge of people.”

Carroll said one customer recently bought 10 shovels at once.

Retailers said customers who don’t find what they need right away should keep checking back. Many big-box and local stores restock overnight, meaning items may return to shelves within hours, especially ahead of winter weather.

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