MONROE COUNTY -- This winter storm is hitting after a lot of little nuisance snowfalls.
But each time it snows, money has to be spent to clear the roads.
For smaller communities, that can mean a big chunk out of the budget.
But a mild winter last year has lessened the financial burden.
The northern municipalities of Monroe County are no stranger to getting more inches of snow when everyone else has a dusting.
"When it's raining in Tannersville, it's snowing up here," said Stephen Lippay of Gouldsboro.
So it's no surprise when you pass a grocery store, like the Shop Rite in Mount Pocono, and see many cars filling the parking lot and shoppers carting away bags full of groceries.
"I came for bread and milk, believe it or not. I always come for one thing, then end up with a cart. In case we get snowed in, at least I'm prepared," said Francine Brown-Wilson of Tobyhanna.
The more northern you travel in Monroe County, the heavier the snow seems to fall.
So far this year, Coolbaugh Township has seen plenty of snow storms and the roads are still winter ready.
"Some of these roads have so many cinders on them, you're skidding on the cinders before you skid on the ice," said Stephen Weber of Coolbaugh Township Department of Public Works.
There's plenty more salt and anti-skid to spread, thanks to the mild winter last year.
"Our budget is really good. I got plenty of salt on hand, plenty of anti skid yet. I haven't really got into the budget for that," said Weber.
Road crews in Coolbaugh Township say when it comes to snow storms, they're usually the hardest hit in the County. While there have been many nuisance winter storms this season so far, they are ready for the big one.
They have the material to prove it. There's about 500 tons of salt and about 2,500 tons of cinders.
Newswatch 16 found Mount Pocono Borough workers fixing a truck that jammed up spreading salt. It needed maintenance so workers can stay ahead of the storm.
"Because of the snow coming, you don' t want to be in repairs when you got six or seven inches of snow on the ground," said David Elders, a Mount Pocono Borough worker.