'Combat shopping': Mayhem at Seattle stores as shoppers clear shelves pre-snow storm

The dairy section at Safeway in White Center was emptied out except for lactose free milk as shoppers converged to stock up ahead of expected snow storms. The dairy section at Safeway in White Center was emptied out except for lactose free milk as shoppers converged to stock up ahead of expected snow storms. Photo: GENNA MARTIN / SEATTLEPI Photo: GENNA MARTIN / SEATTLEPI Image 1 of / 65 Caption Close 'Combat shopping': Mayhem at Seattle stores as shoppers clear shelves pre-snow storm 1 / 65 Back to Gallery

Seattle got excited about the snow storm that's expected to hit tomorrow.

Really excited.

Grocery stores around town saw their shelves cleared of staples like eggs, milk and more as Seattleites stocked up against the possibility of being snowed in for a weekend or longer.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Thursday with 4 to 6 inches expected in the region starting Friday afternoon. Up to a foot could fall in local areas around Western Washington. And another storm could follow on Monday.

Warnings from officials sounded dire.

"Seriously. Today is the day before the storm. Stock up. If you don't use it, save it," wrote the Washington Emergency Management on Twitter.

RELATED: Up to a foot of snow in Seattle: Winter storm warning in effect

Seattleites seemed to take heed of the warning.

The Safeway in White Center was cleared of eggs, milk, and likely liquor, based on an employee's call Thursday evening.

"Who has the key to the liquor cabinet? I've got 25 people lined up over there!" yelled one worker at the store.

Shoppers were lined up down every aisle waiting to check out.

At Costco stores around the area, people stocked up in bulk, apparently specifically on liquor.

"Hat tip to the lady in front of me at Costco. 18 bottles of wine, 2 cases of Fremont IPA, & cherry tomatoes. Godspeed, ma'am," wrote MS Kalara on Twitter.

At Fred Meyer, shoppers described a "war zone" of "combat shopping."

RELATED: Ready or not, here it comes: A pragmatic guide to surviving snow in Seattle

"You would think the Zombie Apocalypse has happened with the line lengths at Fred Meyer," wrote Nicole Kalin on Twitter. "You want fresh produce? Your options are grapes or shallots. You want protein? Good luck finding an egg. If we don't get at least 12 inches of snow over the next two days, I'm suing."

Kalin threaded her experience at Freddie's, noting one brave man who stood in line with just one item: A bouquet of flowers.

"Baskets are literally being abandoned in the middle of aisles. Children are crying. There's not a cart to go by that isn't full- you're not waiting in these checkout lines for anything less than 100 items (unless you're the flower guy) Express checkout? It's been taken over," she went on.

"Someone just walked past me on the phone saying 'sorry- I'm in a war zone. It's combat shopping and combat parking at Freddie's. Only the strong survive.'"

Needless to say, a lot of people will be very upset if the snowpocalypse doesn't materialize.