I think the lines are a testament to the changing demographic that brings us 90% restaurants and 10% local services - people who live here no longer cook at home, since they seem to have zero food on hand and are rushing to buy it all at once.
This Hurricane Hysteria is GREAT for business, but horrible if you want to do your normal weekend shopping.
I saw hundreds of people on separate lines at Key Food, many buying more than they'd consume normally in a week. One lady had three 2½ gallon water jugs -- does she really think that a bunch of wind and rain will interfere with the water supply? And how much can she drink in the few hours that the storm will last?
It was the same at Commodities. At both stores, I just walked out in disgust....
In my apartment, you can get water by turning on the tap, and it won't kill you if you have to drink it for a few days. I swear. Maybe I'm one of the privileged few?
5-10 foot ocean swells with full moon tides, the approach path of the storm and the fact the colliding noreaster will cause it to hang around for such a long time may not constitute a little bit of water. We're not just talking about rain. People are just looking to be prepared in a worst case scenario...maybe they have others to take care of, not just themselves.
Also judgement and smug self-satisfaction doesn't float.
Absolutely Gecko, but for safety it may be good to collect a bit of that water BEFORE the storm just in case. You don't have to buy it, and being careful won't cost a thing. There is downside to being careful in that manner.
What's gonna happen? I'm getting a little scared. I think there will be some big storm surges. Will the FDR flood? That will be freaky. Will we lose power? Can we still get gas? If the power goes out can we still get evgrieve.com on our phones or does that go out too? Aaaahhh!!!!
I also saw a guy with a 12 pack of toilet paper and a woman with her arms full of loaves of bread. This is not preparing for the worst -- it's PANIC buying that creates shortages for everyone else....
Thank you Gecko, correct, after adding extra words to the statement it became plural. But the spelling is acceptable, albeit generally more British. My point was only about the fact that this isn't about a little bit of poor weather; the risk exists and some folks have more reasons than others for wanting to mitigate that risk.
It's not silly to take some easy steps to be prepared for the worst in a situation that has the potential to be serious. NYC disaster scenarios exist due to our unique geography and some fairly ancient infrastructure.
My apartment and water are not currently heated due to steam being shut off because the hot pipes in the infrastructure could burst if cold sea water contacts it. One small example of fragile infrastructure.
Excellent chance that no (or only minor) flooding occurs and there is no reason to panic. But it's not like disaster scenarios are that far out of bounds as to be ludicrous.
100% agreed Chris. This is a hurricane not desert island survival! And what's wrong with filling some open containers with tap water? The water is fine now!
Bugs me.
I went to Poppy deli on Ave A and bought a few extra things. $50 bucks worth. No lines. In and out!
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It's the quicker picker-upper.
ReplyDeleteI bet the Associated on 14th street was another horror show as well at 3 PM. When I went by the Blarney Cove at 2 PM, OPEN FOR BUISNESS!
ReplyDeleteI think the lines are a testament to the changing demographic that brings us 90% restaurants and 10% local services - people who live here no longer cook at home, since they seem to have zero food on hand and are rushing to buy it all at once.
ReplyDeleteThis Hurricane Hysteria is GREAT for business, but horrible if you want to do your normal weekend shopping.
ReplyDeleteI saw hundreds of people on separate lines at Key Food, many buying more than they'd consume normally in a week. One lady had three 2½ gallon water jugs -- does she really think that a bunch of wind and rain will interfere with the water supply? And how much can she drink in the few hours that the storm will last?
It was the same at Commodities. At both stores, I just walked out in disgust....
Better to be safe than sorry. It's not like the water and canned foods are going to go bad if they aren't needed in the next couple of days.
ReplyDeleteI saw a girl crying at Key a couple hours ago. Felt bad.
ReplyDeleteIn my apartment, you can get water by turning on the tap, and it won't kill you if you have to drink it for a few days. I swear. Maybe I'm one of the privileged few?
ReplyDelete5-10 foot ocean swells with full moon tides, the approach path of the storm and the fact the colliding noreaster will cause it to hang around for such a long time may not constitute a little bit of water. We're not just talking about rain. People are just looking to be prepared in a worst case scenario...maybe they have others to take care of, not just themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlso judgement and smug self-satisfaction doesn't float.
Absolutely Gecko, but for safety it may be good to collect a bit of that water BEFORE the storm just in case. You don't have to buy it, and being careful won't cost a thing. There is downside to being careful in that manner.
ReplyDeleteseriously, i agree with 6:27. 100%, well said.
ReplyDelete@anon 6:27
ReplyDeleteJudg[e]ment and self-satisfaction *DON'T* float. Also.
What's gonna happen? I'm getting a little scared. I think there will be some big storm surges. Will the FDR flood? That will be freaky. Will we lose power? Can we still get gas? If the power goes out can we still get evgrieve.com on our phones or does that go out too? Aaaahhh!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also saw a guy with a 12 pack of toilet paper and a woman with her arms full of loaves of bread. This is not preparing for the worst -- it's PANIC buying that creates shortages for everyone else....
ReplyDeleteThank you Gecko, correct, after adding extra words to the statement it became plural. But the spelling is acceptable, albeit generally more British. My point was only about the fact that this isn't about a little bit of poor weather; the risk exists and some folks have more reasons than others for wanting to mitigate that risk.
ReplyDeleteIt's not silly to take some easy steps to be prepared for the worst in a situation that has the potential to be serious. NYC disaster scenarios exist due to our unique geography and some fairly ancient infrastructure.
My apartment and water are not currently heated due to steam being shut off because the hot pipes in the infrastructure could burst if cold sea water contacts it. One small example of fragile infrastructure.
Excellent chance that no (or only minor) flooding occurs and there is no reason to panic. But it's not like disaster scenarios are that far out of bounds as to be ludicrous.
100% agreed Chris. This is a hurricane not desert island survival! And what's wrong with filling some open containers with tap water? The water is fine now!
ReplyDeleteBugs me.
I went to Poppy deli on Ave A and bought a few extra things. $50 bucks worth. No lines. In and out!
Hope everyone is doing OK and takes it in stride!
12 rolls of toilet paper is ridiculous, but to be fair, we don't know what his diet is like :)
ReplyDeleteLast year I stocked up like a crack whore before going to rehab... This year I bought 2 days worth of food....
ReplyDelete12 rolls of toilet paper, let's see ..
ReplyDeleteKey's current flyer says: "Quilted Northern Bath Tissue, 12 Double Rolls Ultra Or Regular 234-322.7 sq ft pkg, $7.99".
Maybe the guy doesn't like paying through the nose for TP. They have a Marcal 20-pack for $10 also.
In the toilet paper man's defense, my roommate went out to buy a couple rolls, but the shelves were cleared, and the 12-pack was her only option.
ReplyDeletePeople buying anything less than 12 rolls of toilet paper at a time are suckers.
ReplyDelete