Forecasters said the storm could prove to be among the

top 10 snowstorms in New England's history and even break Boston's record of 27.6 inches, set in 2003. Residents in the region were stocking up on essential items like food, candles and batteries. Across cities, sanitation trucks stood prepared to dump tons of salt on the roads to help clear the roadways and ease conditions for traffic. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged the public to avoid all "unnecessary driving" during the duration of the storm. "As New Yorkers are making their commuting plans, they should be aware that driving conditions will be difficult. If you must drive, use extreme caution," he said. He said New Yorkers are advised to stock up on potential supplies, including medicine, due to potential power outages and transportation difficulties.