Why do people panic before a snowstorm?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (51486)
November 28, 2025 6:20pm CST
I never did understand this, but I have lived in more areas that do get snow than others that don't. I had to go the pharmacy for son's meds, there is a grocery store next to CVS. I needed to get milk and check out the potatoes they advertised on sale, so I trotted right over there as soon as I picked up the meds.
OH, brother. How could I have forgotten that a snowstorm is on the way, due to hit in the dead of night--tonight? It was a circus in there. I did manage to score some milk. No potatoes left but we still have a few so we are fine. I didn't need bread, but the only bread they had left was hot dog and hamburger buns, and some type of healthy bread that was $7 a loaf. They were almost out of eggs.
This is the store manager we are friends with. He swears that every time snow is predicted, the same people come in for milk, bread, and eggs. He made the comment that people come to get basically just these three things, every time.
Are you a milk/bread/and egg person, and have to get them before a snowstorm? What does a person do with those things when the weather gets nasty? I guess make French Toast? Egg sandwiches?
20 people like this
18 responses
@AmbiePam (107280)
• United States
23h
Milk, bread, and eggs are things I rarely have unless I am making something for someone.
We rarely have snowstorms, but every four years or so when we do, the shelves are cleared of all the basics, including that oh so desirable toilet paper.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
23h
Oh,yes, it seems that many people fear to run out of TP. Just how long do they think they are going to be snowed in, anyway?
4 people like this
@kaylachan (80951)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20h
I don't know what to tell you, but the same rings true when people think a hurricane is going to hit. For some reason, when disaster strikes, common sense goes out the window. People who aren't used to the hurricanes, freak out, and then you have those like us, who are supper chill about the whole thing.
You cam make comfort foods with those things I guess, I mean you'd think water was going to disappear durring a hurricane, because stores are suddenly out and can't stock it fast enough. I think it's the classic flight or fight mantaility you hear about.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (80951)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6h
@MarieCoyle Yeah. I know. We have seen first hand how bad things could get. Thankfully, we haven't lost water during a hurricane, but we were thankful for that at least. Longest we've gone is a week without power. You just never know.
Last hurricane to hit, we didn't loose any because of our solar pannals.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
@kaylachan
I am sure the solar power has helped a lot during bad storms there.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
19h
When I was pretty young, my family lived through a bad hurricane. No power and no water for two weeks. Dad couldn’t drive or get to work-no one could. Two fellows in a rowboat came by every day to bring everyone drinking water. That was before the craze of the endless little water bottles. They also sold food out of the boat. Dad cooked for us in the fireplace, we felt lucky to have that resource. You do what you can to make it through disaster.
3 people like this
@sallypup (66905)
• Centralia, Washington
22h
If we hadn't moved from our last place,I would have begun buying extras in October. November through maybe March can be iffy over there. I would not panic but I would have known there could be weeks of me not wanting to drive on iffy roads. That scenario was one of the big factors for us thinking about moving when hubby retired.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
20h
There are times here when it’s just not a good idea to be out and about. This is one of those times. I don’t panic, it does no good.
2 people like this
@sallypup (66905)
• Centralia, Washington
19h
@MarieCoyle Just hunker down and stay safe and comfy as you can.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
18h
@sallypup
We are staying home this weekend. I think I covered all the bases and son has his meds. Thanks!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (366266)
• Rockingham, Australia
21h
We don't get snowed in. I remember when the shops used to shut for FOUR WHOLE DAYS 
over Easter. People would stock up their carts like there was no tomorrow. They do much the same nowadays if there is one day that the shops shut but actually supermarkets are virtually never closed.
over Easter. People would stock up their carts like there was no tomorrow. They do much the same nowadays if there is one day that the shops shut but actually supermarkets are virtually never closed.2 people like this
@JudyEv (366266)
• Rockingham, Australia
14h
@MarieCoyle I think some do. I know one niece does. She has four sons almost adult and all at home. The house is tiny with very limited storage space so they mostly shop every day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
20h
You have to wonder if some of these people actually go to the store pretty much every day? I don’t want to. It’s just not cost effective nor is it a good use of time.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
4h
@JudyEv
I honestly think I would not like shopping every day. I just want to go and get enough to last for a bit so that I don't have to go back anytime soon.
@LindaOHio (207071)
• United States
17h
I never have milk or eggs in the house. Once and a while I will save my Meals on Wheels milk for cousin #2's dog.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
Every veterinarian I have ever taken pets to has told me to never give a dog milk, I am surprised she does.
@Dreamerby (9518)
• Calcutta, India
16h
Yeah going out in the snow must be tough. But if you have everything stored in the house, it's great!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
I keep a basic enough pantry that I can make breads, some scratch meals, etc. Sometimes, I just can't get out because of my son, so we do have to keep some basic items. We are staying home today.
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
And we will never forget the people who panicked over the toilet paper, and bought every roll of it that they could find!
@FourWalls (80573)
• United States
6h
I told my dear mother of blessed memory one time that people should just stock up on Bisquik and powdered milk for snow storms. She roared laughing with that one.
I’ve got lots of soup and canned chicken and potatoes, so I can hold out. But not for long…too much sn*w and I’ll have to run away to Florida. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (80573)
• United States
5h
@MarieCoyle — can’t leave until after the 22nd because of doctors appointments.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
@FourWalls
Dr. appointments and procedures etc. rule life for son and I, so I totally understand that!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
I am very glad you are not out on the Midwest roads right now, it's not easy driving in this. Florida will still be there when you get there!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (488013)
• Italy
11h
Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that people get into panic because of a snowstorm. I remember that people went into panic when the Russia/Ukraine war started. Here in Italy and in the south of Switzerland old people still remember WWII and they rush to stock everything they can when they hear the word "war".
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
4h
I grew up hearing about wars from my Dad and grandfathers and uncles...they were all in a war. But as for the panic thing about food, at least during the Great Depression, I believe many, many people struggled to afford food then. I know it worried both sets of grandparents for a time, worrying about not having enough food for their families. I can understand their fears of not having food, if they feel under threat of war.
@wolfgirl569 (125635)
• Marion, Ohio
9h
It is the same here and since Ohio regularly gets snow you would think they would be ready.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
Yes, some storms are a lot longer than others, and if the temperatures stay low, it doesn't melt.
@arunima25 (92660)
• Bangalore, India
10h
People get into panic buying when there is any prediction of natural calamity or other emergency situation. I guess these items are basic ones in your part. I don't use much of bread.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
4h
We keep bread, or make bread, for our home. Most people here do. I know I enjoy my toast. I think of basics as things that help make everyday meals--vegetables, meats or other proteins, fruits, breads....so I need to strive for that in some form.
@LooeyVille (62)
• United States
9h
I've never understood it, but it happens every damn time.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51486)
•
5h
It does. I don't understand why people wait until the very last minute and then go into panic mode!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (166607)
• United States
2h
If I don't have it, I must not need it. I refuse to be a panic buyer. I am a little short on bread right now, but the secret is that I have "ingredients" so I can make it if I need it. I would worry about cat food and kitty litter, but I stay stocked on that too.
@celticeagle (182522)
• Boise, Idaho
18m
If these people are anything like me, they eat them every day. Eggs that is. And I think people panic before a snowstorm for the same reason they seem drive faster after a heavy snow fall. I used to drive at a snail's pace (well, maybe a snail but slower than usual anyway) because I am fearful of black ice being under that snow.
@LeaPea2417 (39007)
• Toccoa, Georgia
2h
The reason people panic here in the South is because it doesn't snow here often and people don't know how to drive in snow, so they shop before so that they don't have to be out in it in their cars, risking accidents.
@RasmaSandra (91276)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1h
Never pacnicked with a snowstorm coming in my life, Always felt sure I would make it through,
