{"id":43642,"date":"2026-01-23T00:21:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:21:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/usa\/photos-show-empty-supermarket-shelves-as-millions-across-the-us-brace-for-winter-storm-fern\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T00:21:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:21:45","slug":"photos-show-empty-supermarket-shelves-as-millions-across-the-us-brace-for-winter-storm-fern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/usa\/photos-show-empty-supermarket-shelves-as-millions-across-the-us-brace-for-winter-storm-fern\/","title":{"rendered":"Photos show empty supermarket shelves as millions across the US brace for Winter Storm Fern"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a4e7d3c7faef0eccc819?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Shoppers cleared shelves in a Walmart in Morganton, North Carolina, ahead of winter storm Fern on Thursday, January 22, 2026\"\/><figcaption>Shoppers across dozens of US states have begun stocking up ahead of the historic winter storm.<\/p>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Winter storm Fern is expected to impact more than 30 US states starting Friday morning.<\/li>\n<li>Forecasts are predicting heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerous wind chills.<\/li>\n<li>Across states, people are stocking up on essentials, leaving store shelves empty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Preparations are underway as over half of all US states brace for what could be a historic winter storm this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Across the country, Americans are stocking up on essentials and picking store shelves clean as they brace for Winter Storm Fern, which is expected to span from the South and Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast and Midwest, starting Friday morning.<\/p>\n<p>Local authorities have begun salting roads and establishing emergency protocols in anticipation of potential power outages and limited travel.<\/p>\n<p>Experts and authorities are advising people in affected states to stock up on food items that don&#039;t need to be cooked or refrigerated, and to have at least one gallon of water per person or pet per day. They are also recommending that people charge all electronic communication devices in case of power outages. They&#039;re warning to watch out for pipes bursting, snow blocking exhaust vents, and iced-over roads.<\/p>\n<p>The Weather Channel predicted Thursday that wintry conditions, including ice, snow, and dangerous wind chills, could affect up to 230 million people \u2014 or two-thirds of the country&#039;s population \u2014 across the US.<\/p>\n<p>The Midwest will experience the coldest temperatures as a polar vortex dips south, with lows possibly reaching -50 degrees Fahrenheit in states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the Associated Press reported Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The Appalachians and the Northeast Corridor could see the most snow accumulation, with the mountains of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia expected to receive at least a foot of snow over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>From Texas to the Carolinas, the South and Southeast can expect ice accumulation on roads and power lines. Local authorities are warning of potential multi-day power outages in the region.<\/p>\n<p>See how Americans are preparing for what could be a historic storm, from stocking up on necessities to salting roads.<\/p>\n<p>Shelves in a North Carolina Walmart were almost completely empty on Thursday as residents stocked up ahead of the storm.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972ac81d3c7faef0eccc8a5?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Empty bread aisle in a Morganton, North Carolina, Walmart on Thursday, January 22, 2026, ahead of winetr storm Fern\"\/><figcaption>A Morganton, North Carolina, Walmart had empty bread aisles by Thursday afternoon ahead of winter storm Fern.<\/p>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In Marietta, Georgia, residents also cleared a store&#039;s shelves of bottled water.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/69728db3d3c7faef0eccc51b?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A shopper searches for water on near empty shelves in grocery store ahead of winter weather, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Marietta, Ga.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/Mike Stewart<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In Nashville, locals are following the &quot;bread, milk, eggs&quot; approach in their pre-storm shopping.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/69725bfed3c7faef0eccbe8e?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A shopper buys groceries Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn., ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/George Walker IV<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Experts recommend stocking up on items that don&#039;t need to be cooked or refrigerated.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/69728ebed3c7faef0eccc55a?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A loaf of bread sits on empty shelves in the bread isle in grocery store ahead of winter weather, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Marietta, Ga\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/Mike Stewart<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This supermarket in Nashville was also low on fresh produce on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/69725c23d3c7faef0eccbe9b?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A shopper buys groceries Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn., ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/George Walker IV<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Many are preparing to be stuck at home for days, with forecasts warning of roads icing over.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/69725c13d3c7faef0eccbe94?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Luz Lopez shops for groceries Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn., ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/George Walker IV<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A sign outside a Lowe&#039;s in North Carolina listed storm-supply items that had sold out.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a86aa645d1188187d8cb?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Lowes store in Morganton, North Carolina, has a sign announcing different products they are out of on Thursday, January 22, 2026, ahead of winter storm Fern.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Other hardware stores advertised available supplies.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a407e1ba468a96aa8f97?format=jpeg\" alt=\"ACE Hardware store in Morganton, North Carolina, ahead of winter storm Fern on Thursday January 22, 2026.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Shoppers in Morganton, North Carolina, bought up supplies like ice melt ahead of the storm.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a522a645d1188187d885?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Shoppers buy ice melt salt in Morganton, North Carolina, ahead of winter storm Fern on Thursday, January 22, 2026\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lines for gas also formed as residents stocked up.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a45ca645d1188187d86f?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Shoppers refuel gas in Morganton, North Carolina, ahead of winter storm Fern on Thursday, January 22, 2026\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Others bought up wood as the storm threatened power outages across multiple states.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a49ea645d1188187d877?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Shoppers in Morganton, North Carolina, buy lumber ahead of winter storm Fern on Thursday, January 22, 2026\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A &quot;Winter storm special&quot; was even available at one North Carolina store.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972a410a645d1188187d868?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Fuel inside store in Mroganton, North Carolina, ahead of winter storm Fern on January 22, 2026\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Jesse Barber for BI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In Richardson, Texas, authorities were salting roads on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/69728f97a645d1188187d5f0?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A digital billboard along Highway 75 warns of road preparations for upcoming inclement weather expected in the region Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Richardson, Texas.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/Tony Gutierrez<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Illinois and other Midwestern states could be hit with life-threatening wind chills.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/697291abd3c7faef0eccc5c7?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A plow clears snow from a snow-covered sidewalk during a cold day in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nashville was also mobilizing salt trucks as of Thursday.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/697290b1a645d1188187d612?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A Nashville Department of Transportation truck applies salt brine to a roadway Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/George Walker IV<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Salt brine helps prevent roads from icing ahead of snowstorms.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972911de1ba468a96aa8d40?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A Nashville Department of Transportation truck applies salt brine to a roadway Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/George Walker IV<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Some parts of New York are expected to see heavy snow accumulation in the double digits.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6972913de1ba468a96aa8d46?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A snowplow works among piles of snow in Lowville, N.Y., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>AP Photo\/Cara Anna<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Read the original article on Business Insider<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shoppers across dozens of US states have begun stocking up ahead of the historic winter storm. Jesse Barber for BI Winter storm Fern is expected to impact more than 30 US states starting Friday morning. Forecasts are predicting heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerous wind chills. Across states, people are stocking up on essentials, leaving [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-43642","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-usa"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43642"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43642\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}