Impending blizzard brings big rush

Stranded motorists wait to flag down a passing New London Police patrol car on Hampstead Street as snow increases at nightfall in New London Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

Customers head to their cars after shopping at the Big Y in Mystic Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

New London Police Officer Officer Cornelius Rodgers issues tickets to cars along Truman Street in New London, in violation of the parking ban, due to the impending snow storm prior to them being towed Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

A cyclist waits for the traffic light in the snow at Bank and Howard streets in New London Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

Pedestrians cross State Street in New London against the blowing snow as area residents bustle their way along the streets of New London trying to get home before the heavy snow expected in Monday night's storm Jan. 26, 2015.

East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson consults with Superintendent of Schools James Lombardo, seated, during an emergency preparedness meeting in the town's emergency operations center Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

A payloader fills a dump truck with rock salt at State Pier in New London Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

The bread aisle begins to look a little empty at Big Y in Mystic, during the early evening during Day 1 of the snowstorm, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

Gary Rogers, of East Lyme, fuels his snowmobile at the Citgo station on Flanders Rd. in East Lyme Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Rogers says he's planning to take his two snowmobiles to the White Mountains of New Hampshire once this storm passes, but for now they are fueled and ready to provide transportation locally if he needs it.

Paul Lapedis runs down Main Street in Niantic as a snowstorm begins to impact the region Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has declared a State of Emergency in preparation for the coming blizzard, which is anticipated to heavily impact the state starting Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.