Stores Busy As Locals Prepare For Hurricane
[Written by Don Burgess]
Hardware stores were busy today [Oct 3] as islanders prepared for Hurricane Joaquin.
The storm, which is currently a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to pass around 113 nautical miles, west northwest of Bermuda, around 10pm on Sunday. The Bermuda Weather Service is predicting that Hurricane Joaquin will downgrade to a Category 3 overnight.
Michele Trott, clerk for SAL Devonshire said customers were lined up down Hermitage Road waiting for the store to open at 8am on Saturday.
“We’ve been really, really busy,” she said. “People were lined up outside the gate before we were open this morning.”
Ms Trott said the store has had lines since 8 o’clock. “People are mostly buying lumber, batteries, flashlights, rope and tarpaulins to get ready for the weather that’s coming.”
SAL yard supervisor Darrel Maharaj with what remains of a pallet of plywood:
Yard supervisor Darrel Maharaj said he’s been kept busy today helping load plywood into customer’s vehicles and that SAL had sold more than two pallets of it.
The store expects to see a big rush between 4pm and 5pm as people realize they need supplies before it closes.
Island Construction Services has also had a busy day with one worker telling Bernews that the company has almost sold a complete container of plywood.
Both Masters and Gorham’s have also seen a surge in sales as people stocked up other hurricane necessities prior to its arrival.
You can view our live blog of Hurricane Joaquin here, and all our coverage of Hurricane Joaquin here.
Why are people buying up the same stuff every year? Shouldn’t you have flashlights etc from last year? Batteries yes but it just seems like wasted money. Anyway carry on.
I often wonder the same thing. Whenever a hurricane is anticipated, we see articles like this. I can understand a few people picking up stuff here and here, but packed stores with lines going out the door? I personally always have supplies on hand, no need to rush out and deal with the mobs!!!
Not everyone is a prepper like me!
Typical panic buying of stuff that should be on hand ready if needed.
The only thing I wish I could buy in advance is a few bags of electricity , ’cause I sure know I’m gonna need it at some point in the next 48 hours .
Ummm…that’s called a generator. Buy one.
Yes dreamer because people just have lumber, rope and tarpaulins to board up windows, doors and sliding glass doors on hand ready at any moment. You are overdue to take a break from Bernews with your incessant complaining. Take lifetime with you.
What happened to all that stuff you bought last year or the year before. Left it outside to rot? Threw it away?
I need to buy a avocado . Anybody selling ? Bermuda avocados wanted !
My tree which usually produces upwards of 120 has not given any this year- I think that is the same across the island.
The time to pick would be tomorrow before it gets too windy – if there are any out there. If not there will be lots of cuts and bruises on them.
Best wishes to all to make ready and hope for the best for all of us.
Get a softball mitt and go outside tomorrow night.
Hey Lifetime. I wonder the same thing whenever we have a blow. People should have these things already from the last time. I just always purchase batteries. that’s it. have rope, tarpaulin, buckets, etc from Gonzola and Fay. I don’t understand.
Ya, ever since Faye showed his nasty ways, this island aint been the same since.
How many time you need to buy hurricane stuff what do peeps do throw it out every year and buy more , ?.??.. Bizarre
Oh no!
Belco still hasn’t fixed the light poles in my hood since last year!!!! Time to fill up the ole generator …………