Hudson Valley crews are bracing for a major winter storm while also facing a shortage of an essential tool to fight it.

"I'm ready for the summertime. The snow can go away, we don't need anymore snow," says Sharahnn, who was shopping in Mount Vernon Thursday.

As shoppers get last-minute supplies, one thing they might have a hard time finding is salt for the sidewalks, driveways and roads.

"It's been busy, definitely been busy. We're holding our own but its coming down to it, this is all we have left for right now before the storm we get this Sunday," says Michael Carnicelli, owner of Yonkers Paint and Hardware.

Carnicelli says a shortage of the salt is happening across a lot of the country.

It's not just hitting the hardware stores - DPW agencies also say they're seeing it.

"We've been trying to get in touch with the salt companies and they're saying, the trucks are on the way but we haven't gotten it yet," says Damani Bush, who is the commissioner for the Mount Vernon Department of Public Works.

Bush says fortunately, they have enough on hand and also still have a reserve so they're good for this weekend.

As for what's driving these shortages, officials say there is a high demand for the product across a lot of the country due to winter weather.

DPW crews all over Westchester say they are ready to take on this storm and will be out in force.