For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeWhat was meant to help St. Louis residents’ winter preparedness turned into a salty scramble last week after commercial trucks allegedly depleted the city’s free salt supply intended for homeowners ahead of Winter Storm Fern. City officials said that crews will use most of it to treat roads. City officials said the salt ran out quickly, not only due to residents but also because commercial entities took it in bulk, exploiting the “good faith” pilot program. They say commercial trucks take part of the blame ( Getty Images )On Saturday, St. Louis Lambert International Airport recorded 5.1 inches of snow, breaking a 90-year daily snowfall record for that date.