Maybe it's because I grew up in the area and am use to the potential of 2' snow storms but I never understand the panic associated with them honestly. Before winter starts I keep old milk cartons and rinse them out. Then before a storm is coming I fill them up with water (just incase) and leave half of them outside to freeze (to stick in the freezer and fridge incase the power goes to keep things cool). So, I don't need to buy the overpriced bottles of water everyone fights over. Typically I go to the store 3-4 days before the "expected" storm and buy a handful of things: pop-tarts, bread, pb&j/fluff, and some fruit/snacks. Very basic items. I'm also an old time boy scout so I keep a bug-out bag handy with MRE's if it's sustained power loss. Say what you will but bug out bags take no effort to put together, take no room to store, and contain basic items most people use on a weekly basis.

But, I always find it hillarious listening and watching people panic and buy useless stuff they don't need. Some of the things I've seen bought that I really have to question:

Milk - It's extremely popular to buy milk before a storm but why? It's an item that needs to be in the fridge and it goes bad if you lose power for any extended period. You could leave it outside but why even bother. A couple days without milk won't kill you so why even buy something that goes bad if you can't keep it cold?

TV dinners - This confuses me on multiple levels. How are you suppose to keep them cold unless you leave them outdoors, how are you suppose to cook them unless you have a gas stove and manually lighting a modern gas stove might not be the brightest idea for most people unless you absolutely have to

Roman noodles - don't they need hot water? Again unless you have a gas stove which isn't bright for most people to manually light themselves or a fireplace you aren't going to get much use out of them

Ice cream - yes I've seen people stock up on ice cream, don't ask

Juices - see milk

Meat - if you lose power you're in trouble and that comes back to how are you going to cook it

Snow shoes - just incase it really snows 8' and you have to cross seas of snow to get help? (yes I've seen this)

At worst the roads will be bad for a couple of days why are you buying carts full of groceries in preparation for a long hold out. Does the snow bring zombies with it? Even if you lose power for weeks (happening a lot lately) resturants and supermarkets typically get power back quickly so there is always places to get food. I just never understand the basic panic that sets in with predictions of a big storm

I think a big part of the "stocking up" thing is realizing the roads may not be a pleasant prospect for a number of days and they won't be able to get to a store without a hassle, so they bolster their normal supplies.

I doubt stocking up on ice cream is done with the intent of riding out a week long power outage.

Beer, weed and Flashlights

Admirable patseng...the Boy Scout in you is evident...I wish more thought like this and didn't rely on others to bail them out out of messes that just a little preparation can fix. 

Btw...I am enjoying 70 degree weather at the moment sitting on my patio in Houston. Nice, but would be nicer witha slice of pizza from santarpios or a clam roll from Kelly's.

OH, almost forgot toilet paper of course

In response to PatsEng's comment:

I agree with you though people make a huge deal out it. I've lived in Mass all my life and I love storms like this! If the power goes out I fire up the grill, throw some steaks on or something and make the most of it. Its quite fun like tailgating actually

Grey Goose - check

Beer - check

propane for grill - check

Burgers/Dogs/Steaks for grilling -check

Flashlights - check

batteries for flashlights - check

food for dog - check

Water - check

couple of boxes of dry cereal and some assorted munchies - check

Geez i feel like i am missing something important

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I always stock up...literally have to as I live on one of the last roads to be plowed in town...2004 AFC Champ game, we got 25 inckes over the weekend, I was snowed in until plows came through Tuesday afternoon....

Don't forget all your warm pats gear gang!   LOL

Belichick hoodie is never far away come wintertime....

With he cut off sleaves??...now there's a good look!

In response to BabeParilli's comment:

they bolster their supplies for a couple of days? That makes no sense. Have you been to the stores right before a storm? People go crazy and load up for weeks not for just a couple of days. I could see going to a store early if you normally go the day the storm is expected but that's not what some people do. If it was just to bolster super markets wouldn't be running out of bread, milk, and bottled water

In response to ccsjl's comment:

This makes sense to me. You are in a special situation that I don't think most people are in though

In MA there is a small excuse for those who lived through the "Blizzard of '78".  Governor Dotaxus prohibited driving for a full week after the storm.  I have relatives that talk about the storm like it was last week.

But truth be told if a storm is forecast anywhere in the 50 states there will be a run on the supermarkets/hardware stores.

For hurricanes I always wondered why there is a run on plywood at the hardware stores, leading to empty shelves.   Then the next storm comes through and the cycle repeats itself.  I would just hold onto the plywood I bought for $$$ but maybe people don't want the hassle or have a place to store it.  Puzzles me.

In response to PatsEng's comment:

It's called a precaution. No guarantee the roads will be fine in two days.

Do people go a little overboard? Sure.

In response to PatsLifer's comment:

You know I don't understand why most families don't have bug out bags prepared. They are extremely useful even if you don't leave the house. I know in case of normal emergencies my bag has first aid stuff, flashlight, candles, thread and needle, leatherman multi use tool so if I lose power or hurt myself I don't have to search for anything since I know it's right there in my bag.

Enjoy your 70 degrees, but come summer know I'll also be enjoying the 70 degrees reading on my porch without needing a block of ice to keep me cool

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I've got a generator, that helps!!! 

You all remember the 3 consecutive blizzards we got down here in Maryland a couple years ago?  Had over 3 feet of snow with snow on the ground and piled up the side of my driveway up to 5 feet high.  All it did was remind me of my days as a youth ( or is that "yut" ) in New Hampshire when snow like that was a regular occurrance.

looking to some post make me wonder what u guys would do in montreal ? although, using even grill in winter it's quite funny but too cold here though

Restocking the beer supply on the way home, and getting some gas for the generator. Everything else pretty much takes care of itself. 

Good luck boys, hope you all make it safe through that big blizzard.

I will be wearing shorts and a tee shirt sitting on my lanai in 78 degree temps .... Watching the weather channel as they tell me all about what I do not miss.

Now that I've moved to Canada, most of my preparation involves trying to convert 25 - 30 centimetres into inches.