With the National Weather Service predicting a "top ten" snow storm that could break a one-hundred-year-old record, local residents and officials have been serious about preparing for the winter storm event taking place today through tomorrow morning.

Kings was hopping yesterday as Maplewoodians stocked up on milk, bread, canned goods and life-sustaining Entenmann's doughnuts (well, maybe that was just me).

Staff at the Maplewood Fire Department are at the ready to respond to emergencies. Captain Joseph Callaghan of the Maplewood Fire Department wrote to remind residents "if you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, try and keep it clear of snow. Once a snow storm subsides , the MFD checks every hydrant in town, it helps a great deal if residents keep hydrants shoveled."

Maplewood Public Works employees are prepared, with shovels affixed to trucks. This will be newly appointed DPW Director Eric Burbank's first snow event at the helm (though he's been plowing our streets for 22 years).

Meanwhile, local merchants are soldiering forward, determined not to miss a sale on this, one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. The Maplewood Village Alliance sent out a notice to "Let It Snow" reminding locals that the Village shops will remain open. Dickens Village has NOT been postponed or cancelled and the petting zoo is up and running from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Patch's Maplewood correspondents are all set to report. Susie Adamson is headed for Dickens Village, Drew Dix is across the street at Maplewood Deli, Claire Sinclair is hosting a birthday party in the Maplecrest area, and Stuart Lutz has reported the first snowflake at 1:06 p.m. in the Hilton section.

Meanwhile, on the state level, the National Weather Service recommends staying off the roads today, and avoid shoveling if you are not physically capable of doing so. NJTransit suggests visiting their website to check for delays before heading out to catch your bus or train. They have a special snow alert page with updates. Already, NJTransit bus service has been delayed 30-60 minutes below Trenton.

The Federal Aviation Administration is reporting minor delays so far at Newark Liberty International Airport. You can check the FAA website on departure and arrival status nationwide.

As the storm progresses, let us know your updates on weather conditions in your neck of the woods and we'll be happy to publish your name and information!

Contact mary@patch.com.