Storm Ready: How to Prep Your Crew and Equipment with Salt in Mind

Salt shortages have a way of showing up at the worst possible time. One week the forecast looks manageable, and the next you’re dealing with repeated freeze and thaw cycles, icy mornings, and a “where are we supposed to find salt?” scramble across Ohio. If you’re feeling that pressure right now, you’re not alone.

Here in Ohio, we’ve had several very mild winters in a row. That led many organizations to delay their purchasing decisions or reduce what they normally keep on hand. It felt logical at the time: why buy early when you might not even need it? But when harsh winter weather hits after multiple mild seasons, demand rises fast, supply tightens, and prices can spike. The sting of waiting shows up quickly—especially for property managers, contractors, municipalities, and facilities teams who can’t afford to let walkways, parking lots, and access roads turn into hazards.

So what should you do when there’s a salt shortage? Let’s break it down—starting with immediate steps to take today, and then the long-term strategies that help you avoid this situation next season.

Why Salt Shortages Happen (and Why They Hit Suddenly)

A salt shortage usually isn’t caused by one single issue. It’s typically a combination of demand surges and supply constraints.

After mild winters, buyers often purchase later or buy less, because budgets were tight or product carried over. That creates a false sense of security in the market. Then a harsher winter arrives and everyone rushes to purchase at the same time. Suppliers are suddenly dealing with a surge of orders, trucking becomes harder to schedule, and some products become limited or temporarily unavailable.

In short: shortages tend to be less about “no salt exists” and more about timing, logistics, and a crowded pipeline. When everyone needs product now, it becomes difficult to move enough material fast enough to keep up.

What To Do Right Now During a Salt Shortage

When supply is tight, the goal is to protect safety, reduce waste, and keep operations moving without overextending your budget.

1) Get Clear on Your Inventory and Burn Rate

Before you start making frantic calls, take an honest inventory count. How much product do you actually have on site? How many events can you cover at your typical application rate?

If you manage multiple properties, assess each location separately and prioritize high-risk areas. Then estimate your “burn rate” based on recent storm frequency. A shortage feels less overwhelming when you have a real plan tied to actual numbers.

2) Prioritize Safety-Critical Areas

During a shortage, not every square foot needs the same treatment. Focus salt application on:

Main entrances and exits

ADA routes and ramps

High-traffic sidewalks

Stairways and loading areas

Hospital/medical access points, emergency lanes, and dock zones

For parking lots, prioritize key driving lanes, crosswalks, and accessible parking zones rather than blanket treating every corner.

3) Adjust Your Application Strategy (Without Cutting Corners)

Using less salt doesn’t have to mean accepting more risk. The key is applying smarter, not simply applying less.

Apply at the right time: Pre-treat before a storm when conditions allow, and you can reduce the amount needed for post-storm cleanup.

Don’t over-apply: More product doesn’t always equal faster results, especially when temps are very low.

Improve mechanical removal: The better the plowing and scraping, the less chemical product you’ll need to “finish” the job.

If you’re not sure whether your current process is efficient, this is a perfect time to consult a supplier who understands local conditions and usage best practices.

4) Communicate with Stakeholders Early

Shortages create pressure, and pressure creates misunderstandings. If you’re a contractor or a facilities manager, communicate early with your leadership, clients, tenants, or the public.

Set realistic expectations about service timing, explain the steps you’re taking to keep areas safe, and document decisions. When you’re transparent, you reduce last-minute conflict and help everyone understand why your approach may look different during a supply crunch.

If you’re calling around after the shortage has already hit, you may still find product—but you might not find the product you want, when you want it, at a price you like. That’s exactly why planning matters.

The Best Way To Avoid a Salt Shortage Next Time: Purchase Early

If there’s one takeaway from what Ohio is experiencing this winter, it’s this: buying early protects your operations.

Waiting until the first major storm is like waiting until your car is already sliding to check the tire tread. Early purchasing gives you:

• Better availability and product selection
• More predictable pricing
• More reliable delivery scheduling
• Fewer emergency calls and last-minute scrambles
• Peace of mind when the forecast turns ugly

Mild winters can trick us into thinking “we’ll be fine.” But winter weather is unpredictable. A few mild seasons don’t guarantee the next one will follow the same pattern. The organizations feeling the sting right now are often the ones who delayed ordering because the last few years didn’t demand it. Unfortunately, the market doesn’t wait for everyone to catch up when the weather shifts.

Why a Salt Contract Matters (Especially in Ohio)

Purchasing early is a strong strategy. A salt contract takes it one step further.

A contract is essentially your game plan in writing. It helps ensure you have access to product when you need it—rather than competing with everyone else during peak demand. For many businesses and municipalities, a contract can also support smoother budgeting, because it takes you out of the “spot buy” chaos and into a structured plan.

A salt contract can help you:

• Secure supply before peak season demand hits
• Reduce the risk of running short mid-season
• Plan deliveries and storage more effectively
• Protect service levels for your properties or clients
• Avoid the stress and downtime of last-minute sourcing

During harsh winters, the difference between contracted customers and last-minute buyers becomes obvious quickly. When supply is tight, contracted customers are positioned first because the planning was done ahead of time.

A Simple Off-Season Plan That Works

If you want to avoid the scramble next year, here’s a practical plan you can put in place as soon as winter eases up:

1. Review this season honestly: What did you use, what did you run short on, and what changed?
2. Forecast based on need, not hope: Plan for a “normal” Ohio winter, not the mildest case.
3. Lock in supply early: Talk with your supplier about ordering windows, delivery timing, and product options.
4. Consider a contract: Especially if you manage multiple sites, large acreage, or critical access points.
5. Store smarter: Make sure you have the right setup to protect product quality and reduce waste.

This approach isn’t complicated—but it is proactive. And proactive is the cure for shortage panic.

Don’t Let a Mild-Winter Mindset Cost You in a Harsh-Winter Reality

If you’re dealing with a shortage right now, the most important thing is to stabilize: assess what you have, apply strategically, prioritize safety, and partner with a supplier who can help you navigate the season.

Then, when winter is behind us, use this moment as a reset. Ohio winters are unpredictable, and the cost of waiting is more than financial. It can affect operations, service reliability, safety outcomes, and liability risk.

At Abraxus Salt, we believe the best time to solve a salt shortage is before it happens. Purchasing early and securing a salt contract isn’t “over-planning”—it’s the responsible way to protect your people, your properties, and your peace of mind.

If you’d like help building a plan for putting a contract in place for next winter, connect with our team. We’ll help you think ahead, purchase smart, and stay ready—no matter what Ohio weather decides to do next.