East Hampton Braces for Sandy

Folks in East Hampton were out and about on Sunday fueling up their vehicles, buying up batteries and flashlights, and making final arrangements to put up plywood on the windows at their businesses and residences.

Wainscott Hardware reported being very busy Saturday and Sunday. "D batteries, 6-volt batteries, LED lanterns, flashlights and propane exchanges were the most popular items," said Maria Bartelme, whose father Juan Carlos Diaz opened the hardware store this spring. It's their first pre-hurricane rush.

"Everyone who came into the store was very patient even with the lines and it was great to see strangers wishing each other well and giving each other tips on alternative ways to protect their home," Bartelme said. "Hopefully the storm won't be too bad. Even if the power goes out, as long as we can get to the store safely, we will be open tomorrow [Monday] at 7:30 a.m.," she said.

Village Hardware in East Hampton also experienced throngs of customers. Shelves for batteries were nearly depleted by Sunday at 4 p.m., but the store received a shipment on Sunday night. James Boyd, a manager, said, "A crew, including myself, will be there at 6 a.m. to be ready for 7:30 open." He's expecting it to be a busy morning.

Hess in Wainscott had long lines all day, though gas stations in other parts of town seemed to have a more manageable flow.

Municipal highway employees were out working — workers were seen removing the garbage pails from Newtown Lane and Main Street.

The town highway department moved piles of sand in front of beach entrances in Montauk that were breached during Tropical Storm Irene. Superintendent Stephen Lynch, who was out on South Emerson Avenue, said the town called in Bistrian's, which won the sand contract bid.

The sand was being placed in front of the beaches along South Emerson Avenue, except for at Nick's Beach, the lowest point, Lynch said. Piles were also placed sand in front of Ditch Plains and Napeague Meadow Lane.

The town has ordered all the beaches closed.

Storefronts in Amagansett, East Hampton Village and Montauk were being bored up throughout the day. For a list of closures and cancellations, click here.

East Hampton High School will open as a Red Cross shelter on Monday by 8 a.m.