#Blizzard2015: U.S. Northeast store shelves emptied ahead of nor'easter

As the U.S. northeast braced for a "crippling and potentially historic" winter storm, residents prepared for the wintry blast that could see parts of the region buried under up to 60 centimetres of snow.

• Winter storm causes cancellations at Toronto's Pearson airport

Social media users posted photos and videos online of bare and empty shelves, as residents scooped up bottled water, bread, meat and other supplies.

 

 

 

Bread anyone? �� #walmart #bread #nobread #blizard #rhodeisland #wpri

A video posted by Molly Clareee (@princess_mcb) on Jan 25, 2015 at 8:38pm PST

 

I guess the early bird does get the worm �� #nobread #cleanedout

A photo posted by ����SHE BAD �� (@ohsopretty_dree) on Jan 25, 2015 at 7:51pm PST

 

This was the bread situation today at the supermarket! No bread and no milk by the time this procrastinator got there! #blizzard #NewEngland problems #snow

A photo posted by Jenny (@slate_02876) on Jan 25, 2015 at 6:12pm PST

 

Milk, I actually needed #blizzard #snowmageddon

A photo posted by Eileen O'Donnell (@eileenpodonnell) on Jan 25, 2015 at 6:26pm PST

Even the typically kale-stocked shelves of Whole Foods were ransacked at this Brooklyn location:

The great pre-storm Kale Panic of '15. (Yes of course, this is the Gowanus Whole Foods) pic.twitter.com/OS50ntIatK

— Kat Kinsman (@kittenwithawhip) January 26, 2015

Meanwhile, others couldn't help but poke fun at the impending storm.

Memes referencing Game of Thrones and the 2004 film "The Day After Tomorrow" were all making the rounds online

Recommended mode of commute today: #blizzardof2015 #Juno pic.twitter.com/WovuawJgxa

— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) January 26, 2015

 

Post by Peter Shankman.

Manhattan rn pic.twitter.com/057S0n32h8

— Joshua Topolsky (@joshuatopolsky) January 26, 2015

In NYC, sounds like the day after tomorrow will be like The Day After Tomorrow. #blizzardof2015 pic.twitter.com/uXvYnmsKgD

— Jarid Lukin (@jblukin) January 26, 2015

State and city officials issued formal warnings:

Work from home today if possible or plan to leave work early midday to avoid disruptions from road & public transit closures #Blizzardof2015

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 26, 2015

If you’re going to work today, please head home early - and take mass transit when you do. Stay off the roads as much as possible.

— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) January 26, 2015

Safety measures during a snowstorm: Minimize outdoor exposure, check for signs of frostbite/hypothermia. More info: http://t.co/wFlNOOzDH6

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 26, 2015

And then there were more jokes:

Historic storm coming. Two to 3 feet of snow. Expect the worst. Hope for the best. In preparation I just ate my neighbor Bill

— Justin Stangel (@Justin_Stangel) January 26, 2015

The Empire will send troops to help with the #blizzardof2015 #TeamDarkSide pic.twitter.com/93hIL6k6qO

— Darth Vader No1™ (@DarthVader_No1) January 26, 2015

Twitter users appeared united in their distaste for the Weather Channel's decision to name the storm "Juno." Many blasted the fact that the potentially history-making storm shared a name with the 2007 indie film about teen pregnancy, starring Ellen Page.

I mean, I'm already pregnant, so what other kind of shenanigans could I get into? #WinterStormJuno #blizzardof2015 pic.twitter.com/4dY34fRTQ0

— Adam J. Kurtz (@adamjk) January 26, 2015

Huh? Winter Storm Juno??? Will it guzzle Sunny-D and make sarcastic "cautionary whale" puns about pregnancy? #blizzardof2015

— Suzanne Rindell (@SuzanneRindell) January 25, 2015

This storm #Juno is going to be one whopper of a blizzard. pic.twitter.com/JgjmmOqS1P

— Ian Schafer (@ischafer) January 26, 2015

Weather Channel employee in charge of naming blizzards: #WinterStormJuno #blizzardof2015 pic.twitter.com/rRy0cIXt4J

— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) January 26, 2015