Tropical Weather Resources
Sep 7, 2008 12:05 am US/Eastern
Shoppers Gear Up For Hurricane Ike
CORAL SPRINGS (CBS4) ―
Plywood, water, batteries and flashlights are all at the top of shopping lists across South Florida. Residents are headed to stores near them, making sure they're ready for Hurricane Ike.
CBS4's Shomari Stone takes a look at what people are picking up.
Canned fruit and food, battery-powered radios, bottled water and ice are all hot sellers. People lined up at local Wal-Mart stores to make sure they beat the rush.
"The counters and everything are almost empty so I'm trying to get what I can get. I might have to go to another store." Bridget Ruffin doesn't want to wait until the last minute to be sure she's prepared.
Many people remember what it was like after Hurricane Wilma and don't want to see a repeat. The uncertainty is unnerving.
At Lowes in Coral Springs, people are buying plywood just in case Ike comes their way. Others are buying metal shutters. Francisco Hardware is taking this storm seriously. "Don't want to procrastinate like we normally do. Just want to make sure I'm ready. If it doesn't hit us, that's fine. If it does, I want to make sure that everything's secure."
"We don't know what to expect, so that apprehension is there. You just do what you have to do," says Ruffin.
Officials suggest having enough supplies to feed and shelter you and your family for three to five days following a storm. Preparation is the most important part of storm season, especially after several fairly calm years.
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