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Northeast Ohioans preparing for winter storm

From the furnace to the friendly skies – from the grocery to the plow, Cleveland is ready for its first big blast

CLEVELAND — The airlines are offering Cleveland passengers a grace period to change itineraries because of it.   

HVAC crews are scrambling to check furnaces. 

Grocery stores are seeing a slow, early surge in people “getting ready”.  And plow companies are hoping to make up for a slow start to a winter without much white.

The storm is heading our way and Northeast Ohioans are preparing in varying ways.

“A lot of newer furnaces have plastic pipes that go out the side of the house,” said Sal Sidoti of Sal's Heating & Cooling. “People make the mistake of shoveling snow blocking those furnace pipes -- which will shut down the furnace with the safetys.”

As he spot-checks his customers, the army of the prepared are filling up the fridge in the event travel gets too tricky.

"I’m stocking up on milk and bread and dinner for this weekend," said Kali Strickland. She was part of a small pocket of shoppers at Dave’s Markets in Ohio City Thursday night. "Just in case,” she said.

Air carriers at Cleveland Hopkins and Akron-Canton airports are allowing passengers to change flights because of the storm.

All this as plow drivers are more and more using Uber-like apps to get work on the fly. Several dozen local plow drivers use the app "Plowz".

You register, request a plow, give them time parameters – the cost for an average Cleveland driveway is $40.

From the furnace to the friendly skies – from the grocery to the plow, Cleveland is ready for its first big blast 48-hours in advance.

MORE WINTER STORM COVERAGE:

Click here for the latest WKYC weather forecast

Winter Storm Watch active for several Northeast Ohio counties until Monday

Snow parking bans issued days before weekend storm

WKYC's Betsy Kling hits grocery store ahead of Winter Storm

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