Local officials are calling for all residents to "be aware, be prepared, and have a plan."

If you went to stores such as Lowe's and Kroger Wednesday, you would see many in this area are "stocking up" on necessities in case they have to settle in for a long next few days.

"I've just been putting it off. Not getting it done even though the cold weather is here and its coming on tomorrow and the next day. So I'll have it done before then," says Lowe's customer, Jim Williams.

Jim Williams is getting outside faucet protectors.

He's just one of many people who Chris Alsup sees making a mad dash to Lowe's in order to prep themselves for the in-climate forecast.

"We've seen tremendous traffic this morning. They're continuing to come in today," says Alsup, Lowe's sales manager.

Winter storm survival stands are set up throughout the store with salt, shovels, and pipe wrap.

Alsup says its been a game of keeping these supplies in stock.

"We normally keep a lot of that on hand. But as the cold weather comes in, we make sure that we get the necessary item, the stock we know people are going to be looking for. We try to get that in here ready for the customer," adds Alsup.

Across town, the sound of scanners are going off nearly every second as people at Kroger are purchasing groceries.

"Well I wanted to make sure I got here before the storm came through," says Kroger's shopper Terri Burke.

Burke says she's not worried about the storm, but knows its better to be safe than sorry.

"Got a few extras meals going to make sure we get through the weekend and don't want to have to come back out."

Bread seemed to be the most popular item people were stocking up on as they made their last-minute purchases.

Items like heaters, salt, and shovels are always a winter necessity people buy at their leisure.

Yet Alsup says the impending storm proves that...

"When you start talking snow and ice... everybody's mentality changes." says Alsup.

In addition to stocking up on essentials, Warren County Emergency Management is asking everyone to take other precautions.

These include keeping a blanket or sleeping bag in your vehicle and allow plenty of distance between yourself and the other car when driving.

Also wear several layers of clothing if you plan to be outside.