Flashlights, Batteries Fly Off Yorktown Hardware Store

With today's sunny weather, there was no sign of a hurricane approaching or threatening the area.

But Yorktown residents are taking the threat of  seriously, clearing out local stores and  of flashlights and batteries.

Dylan Tragni, employee at the hardware store, said that as soon as the store opened at 8 a.m. on Friday, within half an hour their D batteries were sold out. While they still had other types of batteries available, the D batteries, which are used for heavy duty flashlights, are what mostly everyone in town was looking for today. 

"A lot of people were buying ropes and bungee cords to tie things down," he said. "I filled the rack with flashlights and now we only have a few left. All the heavy duty, industrial flashlights are gone."

Hurricane Irene is expected to arrive in Westchester on Sunday, carrying "torrential rain." Winds in excess of 39 miles per hour starting between 7 and 10 a.m. Sunday in New York City are expected, according to the latest forecast reports.

Alice Minneti, of Yorktown, was buying a flashlight on Friday at . She said she had been stocking on water, duct tape, and cooked food.

"I'm afraid of damage, power outages and the trees because they could come down," she said. "It could be a pretty expensive disaster."

Friday afternoon, Sharon Tarkam, of Yorktown, was looking for D batteries with her three daughters at the CVS, located in the Triangle Shopping Center, but they were all sold out. Employees said they are expecting a new shippment Friday night. 

"We got a lot of water, moved everything from outside inside and got non-perishable food," she said. 

Another concern was not being able to get her daughter Alyssa to Towson University on Monday, after those plans were already cancelled this weekend because of the pending storm. 

The BP gas station on Commerce Street was not short on business as people were lining up on the street to fill up on gas before the storm hits on Sunday. Sam Gluck, of Yorktown, who stopped to fill up his gas tank said he had been through a few hurricanes and looks forward to spending time with his "loved ones" this weekend. 

The Red Cross recommends compiling a hurricane kit including:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3 day supply for evacuation, 2 week supply for home)
• Food—non perishable, easy to prepare items (3 day supply for evacuation, 2 week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery powered or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7 day supply) and medical items
• Multi purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Stay tuned with Patch as we bring you more updates on the storm.

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