What Does A Hurricane Cost?

Well before the state and nation tally the costs of Hurricane Irene (which is expected in the billions), Jessie Fox has a total. “I bought water, flashlights, batteries, a new shop vac, paper towels, wipes, and much more,” she explains, pulling a sheaf of receipts from her purse. “I am into four figures, well into four figures,” she says. “And I didn’t even buy a generator.”

Fox acknowledges that the $1,100 dollars she spent on food, water, auxiliary lights, gas for the cars and trash bags isn’t wasted. “I’ll use the gas, obviously,” she explains. “We’ll eat the food. But, still, it was a chunk of change unexpectedly.” Fox has a family of six and an older relative on her shopping list. “So I guess if you divide per person, it’s not so bad,” she says.

Other local residents were pulling out similar receipts. Bob Lazer of Livingston spent $535 for a used generator he finally found in Kearny, plus about $25 for gas. “We had candles, flashlights and a portable radio. We did buy new batteries, maybe $15 worth, which we can still use,” his wife Ellen said.

 Other locals report similar expenses.

“I just happen to have the receipt right here,” when we asked Patch reporter L. Klonsky of Livingston. “We were pretty well set since we keep our emergency kit current, but we spent about $160 on food, water, paper towels, kitty litter (for flooding), first aid kit, duct tape, batteries, and a new pair of boots. I guess we got off pretty light, especially since we can use the kitty litter for the cat.”

Lines were long on when residents went out to . Empty store shelves were empty of bread, milk, and batteries.

For Livingston residents, the expenses are ongoing. A few hundred are still without power. Many others are being told to boil water before drinking. Many locals are purchasing water, additional flashlights, and take-out food.

“We’re having lots of pizza and using paper plates only,” explains Maureen Ryan. “Yes, it adds up.” She notes that an additional expense for her was doing laundry at a Laundromat. "It adds up," she says. "It was a lot of quarters!"

Livingston was spared injury during Hurricane Irene, police said. “And that’s priceless,” says Ryan. “The rest is just money. We’re all fine, and you can’t put a dollar amount on that.”