Stop & Shop Shoppers Prepare to Endure Sandy's Visit

Cars packed the parking lot at Stop & Shop and other local grocery stores Saturday, and worried residents, pushing carts overflowing with non-perishables, waited in lines that snaked into the super-store's main aisle.

"The Sandy Man cometh," quipped Joe Myers, 57, of Wethersfield, using a Batman-derived wordplay in unnecessary explanation for the chaotic scene. 

The forecasts for the approaching Hurricane Sandy, the event Myers referenced, have been growing more dire and the timetable, as to when it will impact the region, moved up further. Reports now indicate that heavy rains could begin to lash central Connecticut as early as Sunday afternoon, and the area could subsequently catch the edge of a trailing snowstorm that is expected to slam parts of the east coast. Governor Malloy is advising residents that the calamitous episode could last several days.     

Brenda Imhoff, 41, is the odd individual who ventured from a part of the country that is safe from the storm's fury to Rocky Hill, which could catch the brunt of it. Imhoff arrived from Missouri on Thursday to aid her disabled aunt during the impending weather threat.

"My friends think I'm crazy for coming here now," she volunteered. "But, I'm worried about her. I think she's really gonna some need help. She could lose electricity for a week or more."

Susan, a "mother of four hungry boys and a husband to match," was not taking any chances on being unprepared to sustain them through an extended period without power.

"Canned goods. Plenty of canned goods," she stated, detailing the contents of her shopping carriage. "And fruit, granola bars, cereal, oatmeal, and water-- lots of bottled water."

But, edibles were not the only items customers were hastily snatching from store racks and shelves. Ryan Cote of Rocky Hill filled at least one-fifth of his cart with batteries.

"We don't have a generator," he lamented, "and who knows how long the power will be out. If it's anything like it was this time last year..." His voice trailed off, as he reflected on the premature winter blast from Halloween a year ago that left some state residents in the dark and cold for a week or longer.

Brittany, 29, of Cromwell, stocked her carriage with the typical non-perishable foodstuffs, but also word searches, crossword puzzles, and other games.

"They're talking about a three-day storm?" she asked rhetorically. She then shook her head wearily. "My kids are gonna go bonkers."

Check Patch for the latest hurricane coverage, or stay tuned to your local broadcast channel. 

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