Home » Weather News » Prestorm shoppers clearing out…

This article is about 9 years old

Prestorm shoppers clearing out local hardware store (Photos)

George Currie of Oxon Hill on left, doesn't need the 200 pounds of ice melt in his cart. "I can't say what other people would do. But this is in our [he and his wife’s] hearts to get enough so if someone doesn't have - it's enough for them too." — George Currie of Oxon Hill on right, doesn’t need the 200 pounds of ice melt in his cart. He and his wife give some away. “I can’t say what other people would do. But this is in our hearts to get enough so if someone doesn’t have — it’s enough for them too.” (WTOP/Kristi King)

Shipments of snow blowers are being imported by numbers of area retailers. The equipment is selling quickly as it arrives. — Shipments of snowblowers are being imported by numbers of area retailers. The equipment is selling quickly as it arrives. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Pallets of supplies are going quickly in local hardware stores. — Pallets of supplies are going quickly in local hardware stores. Salt is quickly diminishing Wednesday afternoon at the Alexandria Lowe’s. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Ice melt goes farther when mixed with play sand, said Manuel Flores of Dale City, Va. Flores also says the mixture helps provide traction. — Ice melt goes farther when mixed with play sand, said Manuel Flores of Dale City, Virginia. Flores also says the mixture helps provide traction. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Trash cans emptied of snow shovels should be re-stocked repeatedly as supplies come in to the Alexandria Lowe's. Manager Earl Lee expects pre-storm deliveries of multiple snow related products. — Trash cans emptied of snow shovels should be restocked repeatedly as supplies come in to the Alexandria Lowe’s. Manager Earl Lee expects pre-storm deliveries of multiple snow related products. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Gloria Milhan of Kingstown plans to use the $5 “snow disc” to pull her two dogs through the snow. “How cute is that!” she exclaims. (WTOP/Kristi King)

If you can't find windshield wiper fluid in stores or want to use a 'natural' product
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-windshield-washer-fluid/
"Do It Yourself - Natural" wiper fluid ingredients include 16 oz. of 99% isopropyl alcohol and 1 oz. of liquid soap in a gallon jug topped off with water. — If you can’t find windshield wiper fluid in stores or want to use a “natural” product “Do It Yourself — Natural” wiper fluid ingredients include 16 oz. of 99 percent isopropyl alcohol and 1 ounce of liquid soap in a gallon jug topped off with water. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Bob Delong of Clifton, Va. will use this now thrower on his 200 foot driveway and to clear pasture areas for his horses. He and Lowe's Department Manager Larry Schultz have been friends for years. — Bob Delong of Clifton, Virginia, will use this new thrower on his 200-foot driveway and to clear pasture areas for his horses. He and Lowe’s Department Manager Larry Schultz have been friends for years. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Hardware store shelves are being cleared by pre-storm shoppers. Many stores however are getting new shipments to replenish supplies. Ask your store's manager for specifics. — Hardware store shelves are being cleared by prestorm shoppers. Many stores however are getting new shipments to replenish supplies. Ask your store’s manager for specifics. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Greg King of Temple Hills, Md. doesn't like popsicle toes. He says toe warmers he's buying are more important to him than the hand warmers. — Greg King of Temple Hills, Maryland, doesn’t like popsicle toes. He says toe warmers he’s buying are more important to him than the hand warmers. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Using anti-freeze designed for boats and RV's is recommended for drains in exterior stairwells leading to basements.

"If you don't, that water starts melting and getting up in there and that drain clogs [then] it's going to get up above your door levels and go right up on in the house, " says Lowe's Department Manager Larry Schultz.

Products such as "Freezproof" are bio-degradable and environmentally friendly. — Using antifreeze designed for boats and RVs is recommended for drains in exterior stairwells leading to basements. “If you don’t, that water starts melting and getting up in there and that drain clogs [then] it’s going to get up above your door levels and go right up on in the house, ” says Lowe’s Department Manager Larry Schultz. Products such as “Freezproof” are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Sodium Chloride(pictured) also known as rock salt can damage asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, metal, grass, plants and wood decks and can be lethal to pets if ingested. An evaluation of various types of ice-melt by
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2014/02/best-ice-melts/index.htm
Consumer Reports finds Magnesium Chloride, Potasium Chloride and Urea/Carbonly Diamide are best for gardeners and pet owners. — Sodium Chloride (pictured) also known as rock salt can damage asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, metal, grass, plants and wood decks and can be lethal to pets if ingested. An evaluation of various types of ice-melt by Consumer Reports finds Magnesium Chloride, Potasium Chloride and Urea/Carbonly Diamide are best for gardeners and pet owners. (WTOP/Kristi King)

(1/12)

George Currie of Oxon Hill on left, doesn't need the 200 pounds of ice melt in his cart. "I can't say what other people would do. But this is in our [he and his wife’s] hearts to get enough so if someone doesn't have - it's enough for them too."

Shipments of snow blowers are being imported by numbers of area retailers. The equipment is selling quickly as it arrives.

Pallets of supplies are going quickly in local hardware stores.

Ice melt goes farther when mixed with play sand, said Manuel Flores of Dale City, Va. Flores also says the mixture helps provide traction.

Trash cans emptied of snow shovels should be re-stocked repeatedly as supplies come in to the Alexandria Lowe's. Manager Earl Lee expects pre-storm deliveries of multiple snow related products.

If you can't find windshield wiper fluid in stores or want to use a 'natural' product
http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-windshield-washer-fluid/
"Do It Yourself - Natural" wiper fluid ingredients include 16 oz. of 99% isopropyl alcohol and 1 oz. of liquid soap in a gallon jug topped off with water.

Share This Gallery:

WASHINGTON — With blizzard-like conditions heading for the D.C. area, many people are rushing to hardware stores to stock up on rock salt, sleds and other necessities.

WTOP’s Kristi King took a look at what shoppers were buying at the Alexandria Lowe’s on Wednesday.

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

Related News

Trump’s budget plan eviscerates weather and climate research, and it could be enacted immediately

Trump’s budget plan eviscerates weather and climate research, and it could be enacted immediately

Gloomy weekend forecast looms ahead

Gloomy weekend forecast looms ahead

‘Tricky forecast’: Wet stretch may be ahead in DC-area

‘Tricky forecast’: Wet stretch may be ahead in DC-area

Recommended

'Last attempt': Montgomery County makes $3M bid to break stalemate over White's Ferry service

'Last attempt': Montgomery County makes $3M bid to break stalemate over White's Ferry service

'Extremely troubling' that US can't provide details on mistakenly deported man, judge says

'Extremely troubling' that US can't provide details on mistakenly deported man, judge says

Michelle Obama addresses recent absences from political events and divorce rumors

Michelle Obama addresses recent absences from political events and divorce rumors

Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.