Preparing for the December Storm | News

It is about to feel like December, finally, with snow forecasted for part of our area.

Wayne and Monroe counties could be getting the most snow in our area, the first since the big storm in October.

Back then, people rushed to supermarkets and hardware stores to make sure they were ready, but that is not the case this time around.

PennDOT crews all across the state, and in Lackawanna County, have been gearing up for the overnight storm.

Trucks are loaded, and ready to go.

People who were asked in Wayne County said they are not too concerned, because they are ready too.

At least six inches of snow is predicted overnight for Wayne County.

Not surprising to many, not causing panic for others either.

"If they're saying it will be gone by tomorrow, I'm not worried," Kim Molling of Beach Lake.

"No, not worried. I'm not worried, no," said Julius Galfano. He and his wife, Ellen, are up for the week from Long Island, gearing up for the storm by shopping for a good snow shovel. For them, this storm is all about having fun.

"We were just going to play in the snow, hats, scarves, brought it all up for the kids, because my grandchildren all want to see the snow," said Ellen Galfano.

Several other folks feel the same way.

"I think people run out as soon as they hear something and they get what they need, the shovels, and stuff for the season and then I think they're good," Molling added.

"If there's no milk on the shelves, then you know people are worried about it, but I don't think so. I think they have it under control. They're not going to do what they did in October," said John Brooks of Hawley.

"Last time I think they weren't prepared. This time pretty much everybody's prepared. The only thing now is people come in for parts and things they need to get prepared for the storm," said Mark Rivezzi of George W. Kinsman Hardware.

While some folks in our area are not too concerned about the overnight snow, PennDOT officials across the state said they are ready for whatever comes our way.

"We have about 5,4000 tons of salt, 64,000 tons of anti skid and over 200,000 gallons of brine, so we're plenty prepared. We've been waiting for this for quite awhile," said James May of PennDOT.

"When we got a lot of wet heavy snow it's hard for us to clean off the roads, but it's nothing we can't handle with the equipment we have. Ice is a big factor. Ice is hard to fight no matter what you do," said Lackawanna County Highway Foreman John White.

Officials said the best way to fight black ice is to stay off the roads altogether, but if you have to be out, drive slower, drive for the conditions and always wear your seatbelt.