Friday found Fulton residents scrambling to stock up on the basics before the predicted ice storm hit.
"They're about out of bread," George Baxter said. "We've got all the usual groceries, and we pray to God the power doesn't go out."
Moser's was down to its last pallet of ice melt.
"I don't ever want to run out of beans," said Jim Holland, who was holding several bags of them.
However, while the jam-packed parking lots at local stores testified that people were playing it safe, most of the people inside weren't terribly worried.
"I've lived here for my whole life," said Barbara Scott, who was picking up eggs. "In Missouri, you just get used to it."
That seemed to be the prevailing attitude from long-time Callawegians, who overall planned to hunker down and stay inside.
"I'm not going to work today," said Donna Scoggins. "Some people are going to worry, some aren't."
"I've been through all sorts of storms," Holland said. "It's going to rain for three days, if the weatherman's right, then it'll be back up to 6o next week."
Some folks, though, don't have the luxury of staying inside.
That group includes Patrick Craighead, an employee of the city's electric department. He was picking up snacks for what could turn out to be a long and hazardous weekend of investigating downed lines and outages.
"It's not fear, it's more of a kind of anticipation," he said. "I hope the power stays on."
He encouraged people to stay inside unless absolutely necessary and report any downed lines to the city (573-592-3180).
At the gas station, Tommy Smith also anticipated being out and about.
"I've got to go on the road," he said.
He'll spend his weekend trucking down to Florida, and because of the ice, his two daughters are coming along for the ride.
"We're leaving in two hours, so hopefully we'll be out before it hits," Smith said.
Kevin Phares, general manager at the Phillips 66 gas station, will also be out in the worst of it, running the store. He plans on staying at a nearby hotel for the weekend, rather than driving home to Auxvasse.
"Yesterday we were extremely busy," he said. "Gasoline was the biggest thing, and people stocking up on various snacks."
He said that even if the power goes out, the store will stay open. While they won't be able to pump gas he'll still be able to sell the other items.
Most people advised simply staying home and blocking off drafty windows and doors. Holland, however, had a little extra advice to give.
"Live like tomorrow; they're going to pull the plug on you for three days," he said.
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