Grocery Stores Face Empty Shelves as Shoppers Brace for Historic Winter Storm

Store shelves across the U.S. are being run dry as residents prepare for a historic winter storm impacting an upwards of 200 million Americans from Thursday, January 22, through Monday, January 26.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and winter storm advisories across more than 30 states, including Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and throughout the Great Lakes and Northeast.

This storm will bring dangerously cold temperatures to the more northern areas of the country and heavy snow, freezing rain and ice to other aeras, including the Carolinas and Texas.

Store Shelves Run Dry as Shoppers Prep for Winter Weather Warnings

On Thursday, January 22, The Tennessean in Nashville, Tenn., published an article showing photos of bare shelves around town, with the headline, "Panic buying for winter storm leaves Nashville area store shelves bare."

"The meat coolers were still bare at the Whole Foods in downtown Nashville, Tenn., on January 22, 2026," the caption reads on one photo.

Also in Nashville, Fox 17 reported, "Families across the Midstate are stocking up on groceries ahead of this weekend's winter storm. Stores are working hard to keep shelves full, but some items like bread are already running low. Fox 17 News witnessed this at the Bordeaux Market in North Nashville and Sam's Club in Franklin."

Miles away, in Houston, the scene was similar. "Store shelves across Houston are being wiped out as residents prepare ahead of an intense winter storm approaching the state, prompting grocers to stock up essentials and make other preparations to meet community need," the Houston Chronicle noted in a January 22 piece.

Empty Shelves Trend is Across the U.S.

The Weather Channel is also reporting cross-country grocery shortages. "From Arizona to Maine to North Carolina, millions of Americans are not just bracing, but preparing for what could be a devastating winter storm," Renee Straker stated in a January 22 feature.

"More than 30 states could see at least 6 inches of snow and some ice from Winter Storm Fern," Straker added. "This storm could impact more than 230 million people starting on Friday."

"Shoppers are emptying store shelves, stocking up on nonperishable foods to potentially ride out multiple days without electricity," Straker continued.

In Michigan, they're also dealing with a salt shortage. Straker reports that "while they don’t think they will run out, they’ve stopped supplying salt to vendors and are keeping their supply for use by county crews."