Updated: Hardware Stores Blitzed Before Storm

Updated at 4:45 p.m.

Customers were still streaming into Lowe's and Home Depot this afternoon, but the crowds weren't as large as managers described this morning. The shelves were stripped of sump pumps and extension cords, but customers were making do with wood to board up windows and sandbags to combat flood waters.

Batteries were in short supply at both stores; residents should try smaller convenience stores, electronics or even video game dealers instead. One thing Lowe's did have was an abundance of was bottled water, which most customers had in their carts.

In contrast, BJ's in Paramus was swamped with customers stocking up on provisions before the storm is expected to hit. There was very little bottled water, but customers made by purchasing 5-gallon tanks typically used for water coolers.

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Paramus stores are swamped as customers prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irene this weekend.

 and  were both out of generators this afternoon, with both stores expecting a resupply sometime today or tomorrow, managers said.

"It all started Wednesday night," said Mike Pangione, assistant store manager at the Paramus Home Depot. "We sold out of all the generators that we had."

Pangione said the store sold out of all of its storm-related items on Thursday. Customers snagged tarps, batteries, flashlights and other supplies.

Home Depot received a shipment of batteries Friday morning, but it was wiped out in minutes, Pangione said.

"People are really expecting the worst with this one," he said.

John Marzocca, a manager at the Paramus Lowe's, reported similar conditions at his store. Customers are expecting to lose power, he said, and are ensuring that they have batteries and flashlights for the storm.