Crittenden County clears store shelves ahead of snowstorm
Old habits die hard as residents rush to stores ahead of ‘Snowpocalypse’
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
Last week, Crittenden County residents went into full snowstorm survival mode, in anticipation of the much-dreaded “Snowpocalypse 2025.” By the time the flakes started to fall, store shelves were bare of essentials like toilet paper, bread, and milk—because apparently, no snowstorm preparation is complete without enough dairy to feed a small army.
“I don’t even drink milk,” admitted local shopper Tammy Jefferson jokingly, eyeing a half-gallon like it was liquid gold. “But what if I suddenly need to? You can never be too prepared!”
At Marion Marketplace, employees reported a surge in customers clearing entire sections of bread and paper goods. “One woman left with 60 rolls of toilet paper and I don’t know how many loaves of bread,” said one cashier . “She told me it’s her emergency ‘snow sandwich’ kit. I didn’t have the heart to tell her the storm would barely last 24 hours.”
Meanwhile, at the West Memphis Sav a Lot, 66-year-old Harold Thompson clutched three cartons of eggs and what appeared to be the last gallon of chocolate milk like a prize. “I learned my lesson last year,” he said, referencing a similarly short-lived snowstorm. “We had to share one loaf of bread between six people.”
For some, the frenzied shopping spree was more about the thrill than the practicality. “I don’t even know what I’m going to do with all this,” confessed teenager Sarah Mills, whose cart overflowed with items. “Maybe we’ll build a bread fort if it gets boring.”
By Saturday morning, the much-anticipated snowstorm came and went, leaving behind mostly melting snow and re-freezing ice. Social media lit up with
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It wasn’t all about surviving the storm. With schools closed, local kids got out in the cold and had “snow much fun” playing in the winter wonderland. Check out more of the Snow Day fun courtesy of our Facebook followers on Page 10.
Photo courtesy of Brianna Campbell
TOP: In what has practically become a southern tradition in itself, local residents can always be counted on to empty store shelves of any and all toilet paper before the slightest bit of snowfall. ABOVE: Surprisingly, even many frozen food aisles were emptied for those hoping for a hot tv dinner or a frosty snack.
Photos by Don Wilburn SHELVES
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photos of people sipping hot chocolate, pretending to be snowed in, while others posted memes mocking the empty shelves and mild weather.
While it’s safe to say Crittenden County dodged another snow-pocalypse, residents have proven that when it comes to stocking up for storms, they take no chances. Whether they needed it or not, one thing is clear: the county is now fully prepared for anything from a snowstorm to a heavy brunch.
