BY REBECCA BENNETT AND MARIA JAMES — Updated at 10:57 p.m.  The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a blizzard warning from 3 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Sunday.  Prince George’s County is forecasted to receive 18 to 24 inches of snow accumulation.

Click here to read what’s open and what’s not this weekend

The NWS said travel  is expected to be severely limited if not impossible during the height of the storm Friday night and Saturday and they urge people not to travel.  They advise those who must travel to have a winter survival kit with them and stay with their vehicle, if stranded.

The bread shelf at Giant on East West Highway at 10 a.m. Thursday. Photo courtesy Susie Currie.
The bread shelf at Giant on East West Highway at 10 a.m. Thursday. Photo courtesy Susie Currie.

“The City of Hyattsville Department of Public Works strives to be ready for any weather emergency,” said Lesley Riddle, Hyattsville director of public works. “Our teams are ready, and will be working 24 hours a day throughout the storm, sleeping when possible at the Public Works facility. We urge residents to remain in their homes while the snow falls and until roads are cleared. Road conditions will become extremely dangerous.”

Pepco crews are getting ready for the storm.  “Our crews are prepared for this weather event and will work safely and diligently if there are any interruptions in power because of this storm,” said Donna Cooper, president of Pepco.   According to a press release, Pepco has approximately 150 internal linemen, 250 contractors and more than 200 tree crews available to respond. The utility company also said it is talking with utilities in other states and is prepared to request additional crews if needed.

There is still some time to buy supplies, if you need them.  But, you may have trouble getting ahold of some winter storm staples.  The photos show the scarce eggs and bread at Giant on East West Highway Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon, the shelves were well stocked at Yes! Organic Market with short lines. Residents are having trouble getting ahold of rock salt and ice melt.  Shovels and sleds are also in high demand.

“We have pallets of emergency materials that we have put in front of the store,” said Target Store Manager Andre Joyner.  “In addition we have order extra stock of food items such as bread and snacks. We’re currently running sales on cold weather gear for men and women. We are planning to be open the whole weekend regardless of the weather.”

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A few small bags of ice melt are left at Yes! Organic Market on Baltimore Avenue.

According to city officials, residents will not be expected to remove snow from their sidewalks until 48 hours after the storm has ended.

Residents experiencing a power outage should call PEPCO directly at 877.737.2662.  In the case of an emergency, dial 911 or dial the Hyattsville Police emergency number: 301.985.5050.

Check back to http://HyattsvilleLife.com for continuing coverage of the storm.