On high alert
Season’s first snowfall set to dump on region
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As the biggest storm in more than a year lurches toward Central Pennsylvania, locals are bracing for impact.
Dave Mallow, owner of Mallow's Hardware on East 25th Avenue in Altoona, said his store has been "extremely busy."
"Everything snow-related is going off the shelves -- shovels, salt, snow scrapers, salt spreaders and brushes," he said. "The day before a 12-18 inch storm, people are buying Christmas sleds a week early."
After just a few minutes of chatting, Mallow said he needed to run back to the sales floor to help.
At Ace fix-it Hardware in Duncansville, Store Associate Tane Schorner said almost every transaction Tuesday morning was of people buying shovels.
"To give you an idea, we had a shovel aisle full for the past month," he said. "Today, after the first four to five hours, we have probably a dozen left."
Jason Mapes, owner of Altoona Small Engine on Broad Avenue in Altoona, said since hearing about the impending storm, he's had more people coming into his shop.
Mapes sells and repairs used snow blowers and heaters. He also works on salt spreaders and generators.
"I've had close to 12 people drop off snow blowers in the last few days ," he said. "I sold two yesterday and two already this morning."
He said one of those customers quipped he just didn't want to have to shovel this year.
Dr. Amanda Cattoi, a practitioner at Altoona Family Physicians, said snow shoveling is fraught with potential risks, especially for people who are older, those with osteoporosis or with a history of heart disease.
"My advice to them on snow shoveling would be 'Don't,'" she said. "Ask the kid down the street who wants ten dollars in Christmas money instead."
Cattoi said aside from the potential for heart attacks, hitting heads, broken hips, etc., there are other risks to account for when a storm blows in.
"One of things I always warn is to make sure to have enough medications to last a few days," she said.
Cattoi suggests having an emergency plan to make sure heating is working well and that neighbors or family know to check in if communication breaks down.
Mallow suggested keeping batteries, lamps and lamp oil on hand. He said LED lanterns are also a good purchase for emergency preparedness.
Tara Callahan-Henry, spokeswoman for PennDOT District 9, which covers Blair, Bedford, Fulton, Cambria, Somerset and Huntingdon counties, said the best advice is to not leave the home if not necessary. She said it's important to note that during a storm, PennDOT will keep roads passable and as safe as possible, but not free of snow.
"It's definitely not a day to go shopping," Callahan-Henry said.
Snow plows have already begun laying salt-brine on interstates, major highways and I-99 ramps, and will be plowing through and after the storm, she said.
Callahan-Henry said for those who do have to drive and find themselves near a snow plow, the safest place to be is about six car lengths behind it. She advised people to not try to pass a snow plow due to low visibility for PennDOT drivers while plowing.
Mapes offered advice for the future. He said if people are just now pulling out a snowblower they haven't used in months, 90% of the time, it isn't going to start.
He suggested firing them up and letting them run for five to 10 minutes at least every other month -- including in the summer.
"You can't wait till the last minute. They need routine maintenance," Mapes said.
Mirror Staff Writer Dom Cuzzolina is at 814-946-7428.