MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — The snowblowers are lined up outside of Steele's Ace Hardware in Tannersville. Inside shoppers are stocking up ahead of the first snow of the season.
"It has been crazy. People have been coming in fixing their snow blowers if they already have one, buying new snowblowers, buying salt, anything they can do to prepare for the snowfall," said manager Devesh Ramdeo.
Workers were re-stocking those shelves just as fast as the rock salt was selling.
They were also getting several snow blowers ready to head out the door. Customers say they're not panicking about the totals in the forecast, just preparing.
"I'm doing some comparison shopping. Looking to upgrade the snowblower. I'm looking around to see the best price I can get and just getting ready for the winter season unfortunately, " explained Robert Maldonado of Pocono Pines.
Over in the service department, other people were picking up parts for their snow blowers.
"My snowblower broke toward the end. Now I have to fix it before the snow comes. It's coming tonight and I'm afraid I'm going to get stuck in the driveway," said Joey Apostadero of Tobyhanna.
Shoppers in the Poconos say they aren't just preparing for the first snow of the season, they're preparing for whatever else Mother Nature brings this winter.
"I remember it happening, like 3 years ago, I think. We had an early snow, and suddenly it was one after another, and we didn't know when it would stop," said Apostadero.
"This is probably not going to be the first big one. Eventually, we will get one, but I am just looking to be prepared for the rest of the winter, even into March," said Maldonado.