Fredericksburg Hardware Store Helps Residents Prepare For Winter Storm

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend's winter storm. The latest forecast predicts 10 inches of snow falling across Virginia, bringing cold temperatures with it.

In anticipation, Fredericksburg residents began flocking to area hardware stores to stock up on essentials.

"It started Tuesday, and people were looking for Ice Melt, originally, and sleds and shovels," Keri DeBernard, owner of Earl's True Value in Fredericksburg, told Patch on Thursday. "Then yesterday, it turned to generators and kerosene heaters. People worried about ice and power going out."

Related: State Of Emergency Declared In VA, 10+ Inches Of Snow Expected

Currently, there's a nationwide shortage of Ice Melt, according to DeBarnard.

"What I had in stock before this storm is all that I have, and I can't get any more," she said. "I don't know if I'll even be able to get any more this season. So if we have another storm next week, I'm not going to have any Ice Melt."

After reaching out to several different suppliers, DeBernard was able to get some well salt, which is crystallized sale that you put in your well system.

"It works just like rock salt," she said. "I do have some of that coming tomorrow. I may have to secure some more next week, but I'll take that when it happens. But I do have an emergency truck coming tomorrow, and one coming Saturday from True Values. They're doing the best they can, and everybody's in the same situation I am, so they're all trying to stock up on supplies."

Starting at age 10, DeBernard began working at her family's grocery store until it closed in 1990. A year later it reopened as a hardware store and DeBernard has been there ever since. She enjoys being in a business that helps people who need help.

"People are very appreciative, when you take the time to help them or find something," she said. "The stuff that we do is not perishable, like the grocery store. If you lose power, you lose it. The stuff that we have, you need it when your electricity runs out, or a flashlight, things like that. It's rewarding, not just for a storm, but if something happens to their bathtub or their sink, it's a bad situation for them."