Scoping Out the Effects of Hurricane Sandy Around Town

First, I’m not a spokesperson for Lowe’s, nor do I have the time to call or go from store to store asking about generator inventory.  So, if you need a generator, your best bet is to call whatever store, supplier, or vendor you can think of yourself.  I don’t have a list of who’s got what or what kinds of deliveries are on their way in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.

That said, as of Friday morning, October 26, I can’t remember the last time I saw the parking lot of Lowe’s on Route 206 so crowded.  I guess to an extent it’s like the grocery store syndrome. People feel compelled to stock up on everything, plus a few extras, if the weather forecast doesn’t look that great going forward. 

I went into Lowe’s and asked about electric generator availability.  Their customer service team informed me that there is a list for today, that is closed, consisting of 90 people who are waiting for a delivery of 17 generators to arrive at the store sometime today.  They also told me that in order for any of those 90 people on the list to get a generator, in the order that they are on the list, they must be present at Lowe’s when the delivery arrives.  Lowe’s will not be calling people whose names are on that list.  So if you are on the list, and if you think you will really need a generator, you might want to make a day of it shopping in the plaza scoping out when that delivery truck arrives, so you get first dibs.

After 17 people on that list of 90 get their generators, Lowe’s is scrapping that list which is just for today, Friday, October 26, only.  If they are getting another delivery of generators tomorrow, (which I have not confirmed) you have to be at Lowe’s, in person, at 6am Saturday morning, October 27, when the store opens to submit your name to that list.  Then, I guess you can wait around if you’d like to see if someone whose name is ahead of you on that list isn’t at the store at the time of delivery, and you just might luck out and get the generator slotted for them.  Good luck.  It’s like winning the generator lottery.

All of what I have written so far is what I was told by Lowe’s customer service department today in a professional manner.   It is not Lowe’s store policy, nor did I speak to a manager.  The store was very busy and bustling with people buying everything from boards for their windows, to Christmas trees, just because they felt like it.  Well, Sandy should be a shot in the arm for the local economy anyway.

Customer Service also told me that after Hurricane Sandy blows on by, things should return to normal, and they always have generators in stock; and there is no waiting list required to get one.  So, if you don’t have a generator, and can not get one right now, your best bet is not to wait until the next Nor’easter is predicted, or the next hurricane comes on course to get one.  We all know this.  It’s common sense.  Yet, most of us put off purchases like this until a storm is imminent.

And my two cents worth – it may not be your best bet to raid the grocery stores for refrigerated items right now.  If the power goes out for an extended period of time, you will be throwing out most of what you purchase.  So while you may want batteries, water, or other items that are good to have around in an emergency, you might want to leave the perishables off of your list except for what you will really need over the next few days.

Additionally, the gas stations are quite busy today in the area.  Remember, if the power goes out, the pumps won’t work, so you might want to fill your tank in advance.

As always people tend to panic when they hear the word “storm”, and the villagers are following in suit.  It’s always good to be cautious, but I’m a proponent of common sense, too.  Let’s hope that Sandy goes out to sea.  She won’t be missed.