"It's the first one of the year:" DPW officials, hardware stores busy ahead of expected snowfall
CEDARBURG/GREENFIELD -- The transition from fall to winter is coming fast! The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm WATCH for parts of southeast Wisconsin beginning Friday evening, November 20th. The FOX6 Weather Experts say snow is expected to move in Friday evening and continue into Saturday. Several inches of snow will be likely, especially Milwaukee and south.
Updated snow map posted by Vince Thursday, November 19th
That means it's time to fit plows onto trucks for some -- or a simple salt run for others.
Equipment Garage in Cedarburg
It has been a busy couple of days at Equipment Garage in Cedarburg. They sell salt and shovels for individuals, as well as plows and snow blowers for small businesses.
This, as winter weather is set to arrive in southeastern Wisconsin.
Greenfield DPW officials were busy Thursday, November 19th hauling in salt tops. It's a quick turnaround for DPW crews in southeastern Wisconsin, as they're still collecting leaves -- but they must now convert some of those trucks to salters.
"It`s a delicate time right now, but we`ll be ready to go by (Friday) around noon," John Laskoski, Greenfield DPW foreman said.
Greenfield DPW officials installing salt tops
When that time comes, officials in Greenfield will take its first scoop of the nearly 4,000 tons of salt it has stored.
In Milwaukee, the DPW has 90 salt and plow trucks ready to go.
Greenfield DPW salt
If the weather requires backup, the city's policy is to put plows on garbage trucks and send those out as well.
The approaching winter storm also means workers must keep the floors and shelves stocked at Equipment Garage.
"The last two days, I would say, were frantic. People coming in that were doing sidewalk projects, working on patios, still cutting their grass, and now they have to think about winter -- so they have to think about plow markers or putting out their snow blowers," A.J. Burton, Equipment Garage president said.
Equipment Garage in Cedarburg
Burton says the most common sales are what you'd expect -- salt, shovels, plows, and folks getting their snow blowers tuned up.
"It`s a highly-anticipated snow storm. It`s the first one of the year -- so we`re looking forward to it," Laskoski said.
Greenfield DPW officials say the plan is to take the salt tops off trucks on Monday -- and go back to leaf collection.
Meanwhile, officials at Equipment Garage say they're already considering extended hours.
Martens Reliable True Value in Milwaukee has also been busy ahead of the expected snow. Officials there say they're fully stocked with salt and snow melt, along with shovels and brand new snow blowers.
Gene Precourt says he expects more people will bring in their snow blowers after the snow starts to fall.
Equipment Garage in Cedarburg
"When people actually need their machine is when they'll go out there and try to start it and realize that they got problems -- either left gas in it from last year and the ethanol here in Wisconsin breaks down and it creates a little bit of a havoc," Precourt said.
We're told the repair mechanic at the store has been working extra hours, and is already running about a week behind.