Residents Prepare for Hurricane Irene

As Hurricane Irene barrels up the East Coast, residents of Westhampton Beach appeared to be in a frenzy on Thursday afternoon as they stocked up on batteries, bottled water, flashlights, and other essentials from the local hardware and grocery stores.

In front of the on Montauk Highway, cars filled the parking lot as people filled their vehicles in preparation for the storm.

Denise Spitaleri, an employee at the store, estimated business was up 50 percent since yesterday morning.

“[Business has] absolutely increased. We're running low on everything,” she said, noting that the store had almost completely run out of flashlights but that they are expecting a delivery of additional supplies Friday morning. Other items flying off the shelves include tarps, candles, lighters, chainsaws, and oil for chainsaws, she said.

Jamie Mainzer of East Quogue, who owns Jamie's Property Management, was at the True Value Thursday afternoon and said she has been busy trying to get ready before the weekend. In particular, she said, she had been driving all over trying to find generators for her clients, but every place she went to had sold out of them.

Nearby at the on Sunset Avenue, an employee of the store said that customers have been stocking up on bottled water, flashlights, batteries and snacks. The rush started right when the store opened, she said, and continued steadily throughout the day.

Hurricane Irene is expected to hit Long Island beginning on Saturday night, and continue through Sunday evening. It is expected to have downgraded to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane at that time, with a potential for sustained winds between 74 and 110 miles per hour. Currently just off the coast of Florida, Irene is a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds between 111 and 130 miles per hour.

Meteorologists are warning that the hurricane has a very good chance of causing a high amount of damage from the winds and power outages that may last up to several weeks in some areas. Coastal flooding, large waves and downed trees are also expected.

Both at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the town of Southampton websites residents are being urged to stock up on five to seven days of food, water, and any medications needed, in addition to batteries and flashlights. Residents are also advised to have their cell phones fully charged before the storm hits.