Hardware Stores Stocking Up for Frankenstorm

Store owners aren't taking any chances when it comes to making preparations for Hurricane Sandy, many already getting into full gear for 'Frankenstorm.' 

Michael O`Shea of All-American Hardware in Hauppauge said Friday has been a busy day. He's placing extra phone calls to make sure his store is fully stocked after customers emptied shelves during Hurricane Irene in August 2011. 

"We’re bringing trucks every few hours reloading with batteries, flashlights and we will be open longer hours, 7-days a week. Whatever it takes," O`Shea said. 

Like many area stores, All-American Hardware was sold out of D batteries, flashlights and generators in 2011. Other popular hardware purchases during Irene included battery-powered lanterns, chainsaws, coolers, plywood and window covers. 

"The demand has definitely picked up. We are specially ordering generators for weekend delivery," O`Shea said. 

A Commack Hardware employee said the store was ordering in extra flashlights and batteries to be prepared to for increased demand during the storm. 

Northeast Equipment on Route 111 had long lines on Friday afternoon as customers began seeking supplies for the 'Frankenstorm.' Residents were seen leaving the store with new chainsaws in hand, useful after Irene downed hundreds of trees across the Town of Smithtown.

A sales associate answering phones at Home Depot off Crooked Hill Road in Commack said the store has prepared are hurricane supplies check list for customers looking to prepare for Sandy. 

Home Depot representatives at the Jericho Turnpike location said all their Long Island stores sold out of generators early Friday morning. The chain is unsure if it will be able to get any more shipments in this weekend. 

The National Hurricane Center reports Sandy is a Category 1 storm as of Friday at 8 a.m., packing 80-mph winds (down from 105 mph) as its moves through the Bahamas. Predictions still call for it to make landfall on the New Jersey-Delaware border but that could change, and forecasts still call for Long Island to get 4-6 inches of rain as of Friday morning. 

To be prepared for the potential punch of Hurricane Sandy, here is a list of places to get supplies in the Hauppauge area: 

• All American Hardware
• Northeast Equipment Supplies
• Shoprite
• Waldbaums
• Home Depot (Jericho Turnpike in Commack) 
• Home Depot (Crooked Hill Road in Commack) 
• Target (Vets Highway in Commack)

Have any good hurricane preparation tips? Advice you learned from Hurricane Irene? Tell us in the comments below.