Hurricane Irene Hits Mastic Beach and Shirley

MASTIC BEACH, NY, August 26: The energy was high tonight on Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach after the announcement Hurricane Irene was headed our way. After work, everyone rushed to the gas stations and local grocery stores with the thoughts of a possible coastal evacuation.

I was on my way home when the DJ on the radio announced everyone south of Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach and Shirley would be evacuated. People south of Montauk Highway in Moriches would also have to leave. Family and friends called me all day with updates from news commentators at Smith Point County Park in Shirley. The dreaded evacuation quickly became a reality.

Located on the Fire Island barrier beach, Smith Point is a mecca for surfers. Just a few days ago, we rode the waves on our boogie boards while a band performed classic rock at the Beach Hut. Now the same waves seemed far less friendly as they threatened to overtake our sleepy little seaside community.

I stopped at Rite Aid to grab a few essentials. A car almost hit me as I attempted to cross the parking lot. She pulled out quickly and didn’t seem to see me. I jumped back and she looked shocked, opening her window to apologize emphatically. It was clear everyone had their minds on something else.

The batteries were already sold out and water supplies were low at Rite Aid so I bought what I could find. The cashier told me a local legislator mentioned seeing four car accidents after driving just a few blocks. Though the sun was shining and there was no wind, a sense of panic had already taken over.

I went to King Kullen for a few other items. The lines were long and several cashiers worked hard to keep up. My cashier told me people were shopping non-stop since early this afternoon, buying water and canned goods. The canned spaghetti was almost sold out with only a few cans of chili and tuna left on the shelves.

With some groceries in my trunk, I stopped at the liquor store for a bottle of wine. The mood there was different, with several people promising to be completely inebriated so they would not feel worried about Hurricane Irene’s approach. One gentleman told me to be safe and say prayers.

The DJ on the radio reminded me to fill my car with gas. With less than a quarter tank left, I headed to Neighborhood Road. There were about a dozen cars waiting for gas so I decided to go to another station on William Floyd Parkway. I stopped at the Handy Pantry to get instant coffee. Everyone was talking about mandatory evacuation as they stocked up on bread, cold cuts and other necessities.

I waited on a line of 3 cars to get gas then waited on another line of 10 cars to go to the ATM at my bank. I wondered how long gas and cash supplies would last under these circumstances. Thankfully, my family would be ready to face Hurricane Irene since I had already covered all bases.

When I returned home, several neighbors were evacuating despite the fact we are north of Neighborhood Road. One neighbor was headed to Islip and others were gone already. People lined streets, talking and shouting about Hurricane Irene, flooded basements, generators and surviving the storm. The possibility of mandatory evacuation still exists for our neighborhood if the border becomes south of Montauk Highway.

My husband is buying propane now should we need to use our camping stove. Mastic Road is currently being setup as an evacuation route. We all packed bags in case we have to head West to stay with family for a couple of days. I remember Hurricane Gloria and having no electricity for nearly two weeks. It’s not a scene I want to relive.

My children never faced a storm of this magnitude and I am anxious about its arrival tomorrow. I lived on the mainland during Hurricane Gloria and now we are on the coast. I realize there is beauty and danger by the beach as panic ensues in our waterfront community.

We will be watching the LIPA storm center and listening to the news to stay safe. Our hand cranked radio is ready for service should electricity go down and cell phones and laptops are fully charged.

For those who might not have family in the area, MSNBC has a list of hurricane evacuation shelters. People in the Mastic/Shirley area are close to Riverhead High School, Riverhead Middle School, Suffolk Community College in Riverhead (pet friendly) and Longwood High School in Brookhaven.


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