East End residents are gearing up for a major winter storm which could bring up to a foot of snow to some areas. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning and a coastal flood advisory for our area and predicts that the snowfall will be accompanied by gusting winds and temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. Snowfall should begin in the late afternoon on Saturday and continue overnight, with accumulations between 7 and 14 inches.

On Saturday morning, local hardware stores did a brisk business in snow shovels and salt, with many selling out early in the day. Supermarkets also saw a flurry of business beginning early in the morning and continuing into the afternoon. Many residents stocked up on essentials, while others bought supplies for baking Christmas cookies and holiday meals.

Residents are advised to stay off the roads due to slippery conditions and possible whiteouts from the heavy snowfall.