Hurricane Sandy, nicknamed "Frankenstorm," is expected to bring some nasty tricks rather than treats for former Trumbull County residents who now reside in New York City.
Because of the damage caused by Hurricane Irene to the city in late August 2011, residents are on edge about the effects Hurricane Sandy may have.
"It's the second time in 14 months," said Mallory Marando, 26, who grew up in Cortland, "so everyone is surprised again."
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AP
Sandbags are placed in Battery Park in preparation of the storm on Sunday in New York. Tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas.
Marando lives in East Village, New York City, three blocks away from "Zone A," an evacuated area that includes low-lying grounds close to riverbanks and coasts, which are most likely to flood when the storm hits.
Marando said that the city, which is "becoming like a ghost town," has been talking about the storm since Tuesday. This has given residents some time to prepare and stock up on supplies. Marando said that the line for Trader Joe's near her residence was, "three blocks down the line, just if you wanted to buy a few things."
Marlena Wolfe, 28, formerly of Champion, lives in the city and, like Marando, lived there when Hurricane Irene hit last year. "Everyone is pretty calm," said Wolf, "I think we over estimated Irene so now we're not sure if we're over prepared or just right."
Wolfe said her job at a dance center and many others have been canceled for Monday and some have even been canceled for Tuesday.
"It all depends on the transportation system," said Wolfe. She said most residents depend on public transportation, thus the city's ability to function as a whole depends on it. Public transportation, including the subway system and buses, closed throughout the city beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday. Though Wolfe does not expect flooding where she lives, she is expecting a power outage.
Maureen Sweet, 22, formerly of Warren, who lives in Queens, said a few things that differ about Hurricane Sandy in comparison to Hurricane Irene is that this time it is on a weekday. ''So schools and the stock exchange are closed.''
She added, "There is more concern because of the cold front the storm could stay longer."
Sweet noted that government preparations to build flood barriers are greater than last time.
All three women said they are prepared to weather the storm, but Sweet put it simply.
"We're not used to hurricanes here in New York," she said.
While residents in Trumbull County weren't lining up around the block at grocery stores, a weather forecast calling for rain until Thursday did bring more customers out to area hardware stores. A manager at the Niles Lowes said there has been an increase in sales of sump pumps and generators, so much so that the store received an emergency shipment of generators.