As Winter Storm Fern barrels toward central Ohio and much of the United States, communities from Texas to New England are bracing for what meteorologists and emergency officials warn could be one of the most disruptive weather events of the season. With the storm expected to bring heavy snow, ice, and sleet to a vast swath of the country, residents and businesses are scrambling to prepare for potential chaos on the roads, in stores, and at home.
On January 23, 2026, the effects of Fern were already being felt in central Ohio, where grocery stores like Aldi and Kroger in New Albany and Dublin saw their shelves stripped bare. According to photos provided by local residents and published by local news outlets, aisles that usually brim with produce, bread, meat, and eggs were nearly empty as shoppers hurried to stock up on essentials. At the New Albany Kroger, the egg shelves were completely bare, while the bread and meat sections looked just as depleted. The situation was similar at Dublin’s Kroger, where empty shelves stood as a stark reminder of the community’s anxiety ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Outside the stores, the scene was just as frantic. A central Ohio man was spotted filling multiple gas canisters, a move echoed by many others prepping for the possibility of extended power outages or impassable roads. According to The Columbus Dispatch, lines at area Kroger stores stretched deep into the aisles, with shoppers waiting patiently—if anxiously—to check out before the worst of the weather hit. "It’s always the bread, milk, and eggs that go first," remarked one shopper, echoing a familiar refrain in the face of impending storms.
But this wasn’t just an Ohio phenomenon. As reported by the Hindustan Times, Winter Storm Fern was expected to impact approximately half the U.S. population, stretching from Texas all the way to New England. The National Weather Service predicted that by Friday, precipitation in the form of ice, snow, and sleet would begin in Texas and Oklahoma before sweeping into the South and then the Northeast. Major cities like Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston were forecast to receive up to a foot of snow, with the potential for even more in some areas.
In total, at least 177 million people were under watches or warnings for ice and snow, and more than 200 million were under advisories or warnings for cold weather. The scale of the storm is difficult to fathom—nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population facing some form of severe winter weather in just a matter of days.
With so many people affected, the question on everyone’s mind was: what would stay open, and what would close? For many, the answer depended on the ability of workers to safely reach their jobs. Grocery stores and large retail chains, such as Walmart and Kroger, typically strive to remain open during storms, especially as customers rush to purchase food, water, batteries, and other necessities. Local bars, restaurants, and hotel dining rooms often stay open as well, sometimes seeing a surge in business as residents and travelers seek refuge and a warm meal.
Hospitals, pharmacies, and convenience stores generally continue to operate, though hours may be reduced if public transportation is disrupted. Food delivery apps and courier services, which have become a staple for many households, usually try to keep running, but their availability can drop sharply when roads become icy and drivers opt to stay home. In previous storms, some restaurants have shifted to takeout only, suspended third-party deliveries, or limited service to areas within walking distance.
Emergency management officials were quick to caution that anyone relying on grocery or meal delivery during Fern should have a backup plan. Services may be suspended with little warning if conditions deteriorate, leaving those without supplies in a precarious position. The National Weather Service advised Americans to prepare for up to a week with necessary supplies—nonperishable food, water, medications, and an emergency kit—in case travel and delivery services are disrupted for an extended period.
Major retailers were also racing to adapt. Walmart announced on its website that it would continue to operate stores as long as it was safe to do so, maintaining a live tracker of closures so customers could stay informed. Kroger, one of the largest grocery chains in the Midwest and South, issued a statement on January 24, 2026, emphasizing its commitment to keeping stores open during regular hours and advising customers to use the Kroger app for updates. "When there is a threat of a winter storm, Kroger puts its emergency preparedness plan into action so teams can replenish supplies quickly. We station maintenance teams, refrigerated trucks and products in nearby areas so supplies such as eggs, bread, water, milk and fuel can be replenished as quickly as possible. Kroger also works with its diverse base of local vendor partners to ensure timely access to products," a spokesperson told the Associated Press.
Publix Super Markets, a major player in the southeastern U.S., also announced modifications to its production and delivery schedules, prioritizing the safety of associates, customers, and communities. "Publix will continue to make round the clock product deliveries as long as it is safe to do so," the company stated, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
Meanwhile, Kroger provided further updates as shoppers flooded stores across the South. From Jackson, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, associates were restocking shelves as fast as they could. Trucks continued to arrive from Kroger’s Memphis distribution center, and officials planned to keep stores open during regular hours. "Due to the incoming weather, we have delivery trucks positioned in front of and behind the storm. Not every store receives a delivery daily, so a brief closure of the distribution center for the safety of our associates should not be a major impact. We have purposely front loaded our deliveries to stores to meet the current demand. Once streets are safe and trucks are rolling again, they will be loaded to replenish what has been sold and what we expect to sell in the days after the storm. At Kroger, the safety of our associates always comes first," the company said in a statement.
Even with these efforts, some shoppers in Madison, Mississippi, encountered empty bread shelves on January 23, a clear sign of the unprecedented demand triggered by Fern’s approach. The rush to stock up was mirrored in countless communities, as Americans remembered lessons from storms past and prepared for the possibility of being snowed in for days.
As Winter Storm Fern approaches, the resilience and adaptability of both businesses and communities are being tested. With millions preparing for the worst, the coming days will reveal just how well these preparations hold up against nature’s icy onslaught.