People Stocking Up as Marion Braces For Blizzard Draco

The annual right of passage for winter.

The first big storm is on the way, and people are scrambling for supplies. At a local hardware store, customers are snagging tube sand, shovels, ice melt and quite a few snow blowers.

"It actually all started yesterday," said Laura Tietz, assistant manager at Marion Ace Hardware. "It's been pretty busy."

Tietz said they are running low on shovels, but a truck is coming on Thursday, so they should be able to resupply - so long as the truck can get here.

By that time, if forecasters are correct we could be well on our way to getting buried under 15 inches of snow and enduring blizzard conditions.

Meanwhile, city officials say they are ready for the storm.

Thirty one operators in the public service division, all within streets, sewer, and solid waste, will be placed on call during the winter storm event, and resources to address winter maintenance operations, such as sand and salt, are at adequate levels, said Ryan Miller, Marion's public services director.

There are currently no delays to city services.