PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Shoppers rushed to prepare for Friday’s winter storm, clearing shelves of salt, scrapers and shovels at Stanley’s True Value in Roxborough as sleet and snow began coating streets across the city.
“It’s been very busy all day,” store manager Joe Jaconski said.
He added that demand far exceeded last year’s.
“We’ve sold about 600 bags of the 20lb Sure Paws, which is the pet-friendly ice melter that we have. I think it was about 90 or 65 last December, so numbers are definitely way up right now.”
Among those stocking up was Germantown resident James Vallery, who owns Val’s Restaurant.
“I needed some more salt for tomorrow morning,” he said. “I own a restaurant at 2047 Green Street, so just take some extra precautions so nobody slips and falls because it might be nasty.”
By around 6 p.m., a wintry mix had begun to blanket Philadelphia. City crews spread salt along Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy to manage the slick conditions.
In Manayunk, Asiah Velasquez worked to stay ahead of the storm outside his home.
“Trying to get ahead of it,” he said. “Probably going to do this for like every two hours. Shovel whatever I can, and salt it.”
Velasquez also cleared snow from his car to prevent buildup.
“I was born and raised in Philly, so this is nothing,” he said. “It’s like prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”
Officials reported several accidents across the region, including one on City Avenue in Wynnefield Heights and another involving an overturned vehicle on Bells Mill Road in Andorra.
Drivers on I-76 eastbound moved slowly along the slushy highway.
PennDOT reduced speed limits on several major roads, including I-76, with plans to lift them once conditions improve.
In a statement, the city said: “The City of Philadelphia’s Streets Department was fully prepared for today’s weather event and is continuing to treat all roadways in every neighborhood throughout the city. Crews will work throughout the night while precipitation is still falling, to ensure that emergency services can safely move through city neighborhoods, and all other drivers and vehicles can travel safely. Until the weather event is over and as streets continue to be treated, we urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, use alternate modes like SEPTA, and exercise caution if driving.”
Residents can track plowing progress at streetsmartphl.phila.gov.
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