Locals Racing To Purchase Dwindling Emergency Supplies

In preparation for , which is projected to make a direct hit on Long Island by Saturday evening, residents have been heading to hardware and home improvement stores in record numbers, and emptying shelves of coveted items such as flashlights and D batteries.

Paul Weber, one of the owners of , said the hurricane is at least good for business.  A steady stream of locals have been coming in, in search of items imperative in the likely event of an extended power outage such as:  batteries, flashlights, hurricane lanterns, oil for lanterns and supplies to go with wicks.  Many were coming in asking for generators, which the store doesn't carry.

Don Rubbo, 73, a 44-year resident of Lake Ronkonkoma, has seen his share of hurricanes, and was taking all the hoopla surrounding the upcoming Irene in stride.

"I'm here getting wicks for the oil lamp. Whatever happens, happens — that's where insurance comes in handy," said Rubbo pragmatically.

Mark Nicol, 41, of Ronkonkoma said, "This is the only store that has flashlights left.  They're out at other hardware stores, BJ's and CVS.  I just bought flashlights in case the power goes out, better safe than sorry."

Weber advised that in the future, people be proactive about procuring emergency supplies before there is news of an impending disaster.

"A generator is a $700 item that you could probably get at a good sale, when there's not an emergency.  Right now any store that has big stuff like that is going to get full price," Weber said.  "Stock up way ahead of time on batteries.  Batteries last seven years, they don't spoil."

At , Dave Silvia, 39, of Ronkonkoma, was looking to get a chainsaw to cut down trees.  He predicts this hurricane will be "bigger than Gloria."

Disappointed in the empty flashlight aisle, was Ronkonkoma's Pablo
Torres, 43.  "I do have one at home.  I want extras.  I guess they weren't prepared," he said.

Farmingville Fire Commissioner John Caputo, 45, was just coming home from working in Staten Island when he finally made it to Sears Hardware.

"I'm so behind the eight-ball," said Caputo.

He picked up fuel cans, and a manual can opener, but found many items were already out of stock.

"They're all out of five gallon gas cans. The biggest gas can Sears has is two and a half. There are no D batteries anywhere to be found," he said.

Next, Caputo was heading to Sam's Club to purchase nonperishable canned goods for the firefighters.

"I remember during Gloria, neighbors all coming out, putting barbecues in the street, and cooking up whatever was in the freezer," Caputo recalled. "I think this is going to happen Monday. This is going to be stronger than [Hurricane] Gloria."