SEATTLE — Pacific Supply Company in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood saw a steady stream of last-minute shoppers the morning of Christmas Eve, many of them stocking up on items to prepare for the cold weather.
"They're buying a lot of the ice melt, faucet covers, shovels - anything related to the ice and the cold," said Doug Robinson. "We have people come in last minute for heaters, they find out their baseboard heater went out or some other heater, or there may be power failures, so you want to have those on hand."
Robinson said faucet covers have also been a popular purchase.
"You want to make sure your water is shut off to your outside faucet area and you bleed the faucet so you don't have water left in it and when that happens you can put on your faucet cover," said Robinson.
Mayor Jenny Durkan and other Seattle officials held a news conference Thursday where they advised residents to stay home if it snows, and to prepare for forecasted cold temperatures.
Seattle's Office of Emergency Management encouraged residents to take action ahead of time in order to prevent crisis once the cold hits.
Anyone planning to travel is advised to check road and pass conditions ahead of time and to pack an emergency bag with blankets, water and other supplies in case they do become stranded in the cold.
The city of Seattle said now is also the time to prepare your home for the cold; you can find tips on how to do so here.