PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - Pike County is expected to be one of the hardest hit areas in Kentucky, and people are busy preparing for the worst.

Officials gathered to discuss emergency plans, and grocery stores are trying to keep the shelves stocked as people fill their cabinets in case they get stuck.

October snow: two words not normally heard together in Eastern Kentucky, but that is exactly what the National Weather Service told Pike County officials they would see. It is enough to have people like Dinah Ratliff flocking to grocery stores to fill their cabinets.

"They are giving power outages right, so I do kind of like everybody stock up," said Ratliff.

Kentucky Power officials say they are prepared to respond quickly in case there are any major power outages, but they are urging people to stock up on things like batteries, candles and non perishable food items.

The snow is expected to be heavy, wet snow coupled with some pretty gusty winds, but Kentucky Power officials say those winds might help more than they hurt.

"If you're getting a 20 mile per hour wind it's keeping the snow off the trees, so in some situations those will help unload it," said Bob Shurtleff with Kentucky Power.

People say snow or no snow they will be ready.

"I try to stay in, but like I said I got a four-wheel drive. I'm not really going to get stuck in this time," said Ratliff.

Officials say they are working together to keep Eastern Kentuckians safe and warm.

"We're here to get ready to try to protect our people and that's what we're here for, but hopefully we won't have this but if it does we'll be ready," said Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford.

Kentucky Power officials say several other states are prepared to send trucks and workers to the area in case there are major power outages.