Local Businesses React to Irene Aftermath

A day after Hurricane Irene barreled through Long Island and the Sachem community, it was back to business for most locals on Monday.

You’d expect a carpet cleaning company to be working overtime after the floods that occur during the days after a hurricane hits.

“We are working 18 hours a day trying to keep up with the onslaught of people that need help and it’s almost impossible,” said Holbrook resident Ken San Pedro, owner of . “We are doing our best.”

San Pedro is urging residents to get rid of wet content like cardboard or rugs that can be thrown away easily by hand. He said to discard of standing water with small pumps, if applicable, and to open the windows.

“The relative humidity is much lower outside today so the outside air is a natural dehumidifier,” he said.

Slater Drugs in Lake Ronkonkoma was forced to close its doors Sunday for the first time since it opened in 1965, according to Glenn Kaspar, the store’s general manager. They're normally open seven days a week.

“Today we walked into no phones, no computers, so it’s been a hassle,” he said. “Monday is always busy, so now it’s even busier.”

Kaspar said Friday was especially busy having sold 15 dozen Duracell battery two packs and four dozen flashlights. 

“People also got their medicine five days in advance,” he said.

Down the street at Bruno’s Bar and Restaurant on Hawkins Avenue, they were fully operationally everyday this weekend.

Owner Doug Brohan said they purposely bought less just in case they had to close the bar early. He also had a generator, dry ice, batteries, candles and flashlights.

“I had everything ready to go to be open without electric,” he said. “I was going to be open no matter what. Being prepared is the best thing.”

Bruno’s lost its phone lines, but otherwise was largely unaffected by Irene.

“We had a really good Sunday,” Brohan said. “People were in here Saturday night and eating here Sunday night. It was weird, there was no electric anywhere except for here and one or two other places.”

As expected, business leading up to the hurricane surged at Agnew & Taylor Hardware in Lake Ronkonkoma. The problem after, however, for the store and its suppliers, is a lack of supplies.

“We can’t even restock,” said manager Jason Hansen. “A lot of people are still coming in in need of stuff that we just don’t have the supply for.”

They are expecting their next shipment Wednesday.