PERRY COUNTY, Pa. — Rural communities across central Pennsylvania are getting ready for the first snowfall of the winter season.
Residents in Newport, Perry County are rushing to the store ahead of Saturday’s expected snow.
"It’s crazy, the lines are long in there, even self-checkout," said Rose Gitongu, a resident from Newport. "It’s definitely busy."
All while officials in the community of less than 1,500 people have been preparing for the incoming snow since Monday.
"We try to think ahead of time and to be ready now instead of waiting until it’s too late," said Greg Shope, president of Newport Borough.
"We’re probably going to have more snow tomorrow than what we had all of last year," said Cody Harris, street supervisor for Newport Borough. [We are] just trying to get everything situated and make sure that tomorrow when it starts our guys are ready to get in, keep rolling with no issues."
Expecting to work long-hour shifts, plow drivers are prepared to be out first thing Saturday morning. They will not stop until the snow has stopped and the roads are cleared.
"When it’s dumping an inch an hour or close to it and you’re just barreling through town non-stop, it’s crazy," said Harris.
However, from hard work by plow drivers and even councilmembers to communication from residents, it’s an all-hands-on-deck effort to keep the streets clear and everyone in the community safe.
"We all have to work together. If we don’t it’s a failing effort every time," said Harris. "When everybody works together from council to us to the townspeople again it runs so smoothly and it’s very appreciated by us."
Newport officials have a final message for residents ahead of Saturday’s snow.
"Please be patient with our drivers, please be looking out for our drivers," said Shope. "They're doing the best they can, basically we want to be safe."