If the ominous forecast rings true, your new best friend will be the neighborhood plow guy.

Seriously, 12 to 17 inches of snow can be overwhelming to clear from sidewalks and driveways.

The hype started early in the week. But this time it could be justified. Not only will we get dumped on with snow, but arctic air will make cleanup uncomfortable if not dangerous.

Could the snow still shift away from us? Sure. But why take that chance?

When a storm of this magnitude is expected, people need to prepare for the weather and the aftermath.

That starts now. We laugh about people rushing to the grocery for milk, eggs and bread, but this crippling threat demands attention.

The last thing most of us want to do is wait in line at the grocery store, but it’s better to be prepared than to wish you had taken that hour in the store.

While you are there, get those famous staples of milk, eggs and bread. But consider crackers, cereal, apples and dried fruit. Consider what your family will eat that doesn’t need refrigeration.

Throw in some doughnuts as a reward for shopping.

And don’t forget bottled water. Ready PA recommends one gallon of water per person for three days in case the power goes out.

Make sure you have enough medicine and pet food to hold you over.

Grab some batteries for your flashlight.

Brace yourself before you go.

A “quick” trip to the grocery store Thursday evening took over an hour and was not pleasant. The atmosphere was certainly different from the casual Saturday shopping I usually witness.

Usually a bit of snow brings some giddiness among the winter nuts, but this one has people thinking only about clearing the snow and keeping warm if the power goes out.

It’s only going to get worse so stop procrastinating.

You’ll find people in the store are downright grumpy. Take the high road and be courteous.

Then prepare to hunker down. With the snow coming on the weekend, you can and should stay off the roads. Let the emergency crews do their job.

That won’t be the time to run for a bag of popcorn or other “essentials”

Emergency crews need to deal with true emergencies, not idiotic actions.

A coworker of mine volunteered at the Monroe Communications Center during a blizzard in the 90s. In the middle of all the calls about crashes and people stranded, someone called because they were out of milk.

Don’t be that person. Prepare now.

In the next 24 hours, consider gassing up your car and your snowblower and charging phones, battery packs and laptops.

Check your municipalities’ snow parking regulations. Remember to check on elderly people.

If the power goes out, use common sense.

If you must use a generator, read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and take heed of any warnings. This includes making sure you use the proper fuel for the generator and only add fuel when the generator is cool. Make sure to inspect the generator before each use to ensure it’s in good working order.

Remember, generators should never be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home or business. Be sure to also keep them away from windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to sneak inside.

Even though you will be using the generator outside, make sure that your home has battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors that are in good, working condition.

When the storm is over, clean all the snow and ice off the car before you venture out. It’s the law.

Maybe the weather forecasters are wrong. It’s been known to happen.

But isn’t it better to be prepared?

MARTA GOUGER | mgouger@tnonline.com