Concerned shoppers worried about spending days snowed indoors have hit grocery stores hard leaving empty shelves in their wake, hours before a massive snowstorm is due for the northeastern United States.
A few inches of snow have already piled up in places like Washington DC causing havoc, but forecasters predict Winter Storm Jonas could be a “historic storm” that will bring 50 to 60mph winds and more than two feet of additional snow.
DC with an inch of snow. #panic pic.twitter.com/fRN4hLd2sb
— dan holler (@danholler) January 21, 2016
“We will have blizzard conditions expected. Now already blizzard watches in effect for DC and Baltimore. Gusts are expected for pretty much mid-Atlantic up to the northeast,” Weather.com reports. “Saturday is to be an all snow event up and down I-95, at least the northeastern branch of it.”
Multiple photos uploaded to social media show the aftermath of sporadic panic buys at various grocery stores, leaving empty milk and bread shelves.
In DC:
If you don't have your food & groceries yet I feel sorry for you. #Blizzard #Jonas #Snow #snowstorm #snowstormjonas pic.twitter.com/APrRNKwoae
— EzLeeInfamous (@EzLeeInfamous) January 20, 2016
Among other things, the La Croix shelves at the grocery were RANSACKED tonight. #blizzard #priorities pic.twitter.com/sABiCLSEIz
— beckcl78 (@beckcl78) January 21, 2016
Shelves starting to empty at Giant on H St. in D.C. Water mostly gone, eggs & milk too. #snowmaggedon2016 pic.twitter.com/LYCsRywDSu
— Jessica Estepa (@jmestepa) January 21, 2016
Oh, DC. Never change. My grocery store dairy case two days BEFORE #snowmaggedon2016 @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/fqkqd9BXUD
— Steven Harris (@HarrisStevenJ) January 21, 2016
This is what the 17th street Harris Teeter looks like right now. #dcsnow #PANIC. They still have eggs though! pic.twitter.com/svamxlEc3Q
— Maura Judkis (@MauraJudkis) January 21, 2016
#HouseOfCarbs this weekend. #snowmaggedon2016 @washingtonian @WTOP pic.twitter.com/IOb5rmOhWY
— Kim Michael (@kstansbu) January 21, 2016
DC #snowmaggedon2016 already crazy: huge line outside Trader Joe's, ended up getting #snowsupplies at liquor store! pic.twitter.com/nrADcYmufD
— Isabel Lara (@isalara) January 21, 2016
In Arlington, Virginia:
The bread aisle at Giant on Washington Blvd. in Arlington tonight. #snowmaggedon2016 pic.twitter.com/6E9IKeBe2Y
— ABC7News (@ABC7News) January 21, 2016
In Northern Virginia:
Gee, I guess it's gonna snow. #snowmaggedon2016 pic.twitter.com/DJ0P7PxxEf
— George and Tony (@GeorgeandTony) January 20, 2016
Woodbridge, Virginia:
Well now this is ridiculous. Empty bread shelves? It's only #snowmaggedon2016. Not Armageddon. pic.twitter.com/3SOeO35v3M
— Hank Silverberg (@HankSilverberg) January 21, 2016
In Baltimore:
Ellicot City, Maryland
In Yadkin County, NC:
Got all the essentials for #snowmaggedon2016: bread, milk, bananas, Dr. Pepper, Frosted Flakes, Oreos, & Cheetos. pic.twitter.com/dkHHtOkzMH
— Nick Poindexter (@NickPoindexter) January 20, 2016
Back in DC, at least last minute shoppers can have tacos…
But hey if you wanna weather the storm with stand 'n' stuff tacos, you're gonna be ok. #dcsnow #harristeeter pic.twitter.com/T4m5miSWfY
— Maura Judkis (@MauraJudkis) January 21, 2016
The USDA has tips to keep your food at optimal temperatures in case your fridge breaks down:
If you'll be affected by the #winterstorm, stay safe! Use our tips to minimize food loss & risk of illness #blizzard pic.twitter.com/rx21fSWizd
— USDA Food Safety (@USDAFoodSafety) January 21, 2016