Long Island towns and residents are preparing for what could be the first significant snow accumulation of 2006.

The storm, expected to begin around 6 p.m. Saturday, could blanket the area with as much as a foot of snow. Residents have responded by packing stores to stock up on essentials. Hardware store owners say shovels, snow blowers and ice melt are the top items, and grocery store workers say milk and bread are flying off the shelves.

The impending storm also means towns across the Island are scrambling to get road equipment ready. North Hempstead officials say it takes about 10 hours to outfit all the town's equipment and that at peak at least 70 vehicles will be on the road to clear streets.