Local area hit hard by snowstorm

LYNN – The weather outside was definitely frightful Thursday as the first big snowfall of the season blanketed the North Shore, dumping snow at a rate of almost one inch an hour.Commuters experienced a virtual whiteout while navigating congested roadways while snowplows took to the roads and airlines canceled flights out of Boston’s Logan International Airport.The General Edwards Bridge was reportedly icing over around 5 p.m., causing commuters to take alternate routes to exit the city.While most people on the roads were most likely trying to get home, a few brave souls took to the streets on foot or by car to get shovels, rock salt and last minute groceries to make it through the night.Dressed in a pair of shorts and sneakers, Lynn residents Luis Guzman and family friend Jared Vargas hoofed it to Shaw’s Supermarket on Market Street together to pick up a few extra holiday ornaments and snacks.”I don’t really like the snow, but I wanted to get some things to decorate our tree,” Vargas said. “I’m pretty cold so I’m going to walk through Shaw’s to get warm.”The snow began falling during the late afternoon, but several schools in the area either let students out early or cancelled classes for the evening due to the dangerous road conditions.Despite the raw weather, Shaw’s employee Justin Davis was well equipped for the snow, wearing two pairs of gloves, hand warmers and boots as he drizzled rock salt on the sidewalks.”The cold weather doesn’t bother me at all,” Davis said. “I’ve been working here for four years in this kind of weather so I’m used to it.”Running through the snowflakes, Dee Dee Szczuka of Lynn said it took her almost a half hour to travel from her home to Shaw’s.”I need to get everything, I’m all out of food,” she said. “I thought about going earlier in the day, but I was just sitting at home watching the snow fall. But, hey, that’s my nature to wait to the last minute.”