Business & Tech

Last Minute Shopping Before Irene

Store shelves are clearing out as stock up on batteries, food, water and other supplies.

Locals are busy preparing for the storm.

Many residents are out right now trying to stock up on food, water, batteries and hardware supplies. The parking lot of the at the Chilmark Shopping Center has been bustling today as people try to do their last minute shopping.

"Whatever I had is gone—water, milk, bread… and the D-cell batteries are sold out," said A&P employee Dan Coyne.

Find out what's happening in Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"I'm not too worried. I've been through this before with Hurricane Floyd," said Ossining resident Carolyn D'Agostino. "I had some family that was down by Dale Cemetery during Floyd, and they all had to come and stay with us because it was flooded… the train station was completely flooded, so lots of people lost their cars during Floyd."

At the opposite end of the shopping center, crowds could be seen going in and out of .

Find out what's happening in Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manorfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

There, Briarcliff Manor resident Sharman Propp was finishing up a purchase.

"I just got batteries, and I actually found a radio at Radio Shack," said Propp, who has been through hurricanes Floyd and Gloria. "I'm hoping that we're spared. If not, we'll just clean up afterward."

Many were happy to find that Radio Shack got a last minute shipment of D-cell batteries via FedEx, but the prized flashlight batteries were gone within five minutes.

Despite the hurricane threat, plenty of locals were taking advantag of the Pleasantville Farmers' Market this morning (which runs until 1:30 p.m.), by stocking up on fresh produce and other goods to keep handy over the next day or two.

Up the road at Croton Hardware on South Riverside Ave. in Croton-on-Hudson residents were stocking up. "People have been getting batteries, flashlights and tarps. People are also buying tape to help reinforce their sliding glass doors. They're also buying gas cans," said Croton Hardware employee and Ossining resident Cary Rooney.

A number of people at Croton Hardware were looking for generators. "We were looking for a generator, but they're out," said Ossining resident Cecilia Smith. "I'm about to call my electrician and see if he can do a battery backup for me."

In Pleasantville, locals were busy stocking up at Friday night.

Workers continually restocked the water aisle, where cases of Poland Spring water bottles and gallon containers quickly disappeared off the shelves.

Like many places, D batteries were nowhere to be found at Key Food.

"I think it's going to hit pretty hard," said Briarcliff Manor resident Gary Herbst. "This is serious."

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.