The Mad Rush for Provisions Before Irene

By evening, the bottled water aisle at the Route 70 Stop & Shop in Toms River was completely bare.

Storefronts converted their street messages boards not to proclaim the latest sale, but to instead bear the message "Your Hurricane Center" as Walgreen's did.

It was the mad rush for provisions: stocking up on food, water, batteries — all things on www.ready.gov preparedness list.

As a voluntary evacuation notice unfolded yesterday afternoon, the A&P supermarket in Ortley Beach was still a mix of residents with emotions ranging from Hurricane Irene panic to calm planning to procrastination.

Robin Bujdos 46, Seaside Heights said yesterday plans had yet to be made. "I have no plan for evacuation," Bujdos said, "I am just going to ride it out. I have candles just in case."

Another barrier island resident wasn't keeping it so simple. A plan for valuables and important papers, was in place. By yesterday, her Ortley Beach home's windows were already boarded up.

"I am getting papers together such things as me and my husband's will and finacial papers.  And secure all of my valubles like jewelry and such. I boarded up my windows and are ready to drive west if need be and live in the car," said Caryolyn W., 53, of Ortley Beach.

In an area where many residents have entire rooms outdoors, the chores for preparedness include securing a lot of property, residents said.

Toni Schwall, 62, of Mantoloking lives on a lagoon street. "Everything is tied down on my deck.  I have alot of water, toilet paper and battery powered lamps. In a case of evacuation ia m going to Staten Island," said Schwall.

Michelle Newman, of the Ocean Beach section of Toms River, was at the A&P with her family yesterday to stock up.

"We normally rent a house for a week at a time every year in Ocean Beach we live mostly in Hawthorne," she said surrounded by
Michelle Newman 43 Ocean beach with her husband Eric, and there sons Kyle 11,  and Luke, 8. "We are leaving Saturday. We have batteries and extra water."

While the island has it's share of regular vacationers leaving behind shore homes, the year-round residents are faced with the issue of leaving behind everything they home and make provisions.

Many residents recently faced flooding on the barrier island two weeks ago, an event that left portions of Route 35 and 37 closed. Recent weather activity was on the mind of 56 year-old West Point Island in Lavallette native Kathy R.

"I am very nervous. I am going to leave and go to a pet-friendly hotel with me and my 2 month old pug.  I have batteries, soup, water, flashlights, anything I need to survive.  I am very terrified just recently I had lighting hit a tree at my house and it has not fallen yet. I live alone and I am very scared for the worst."

Pitching in to help neighbors was a part of the completed to-do list for Carol Greco, 63, of Lavallette.

"I help people out in the neigborhood, helping around the house with whatever they need," Greco said, adding that she is leaving for her parent's house in Westfield. "I didn't buy anything for this. I have everything at my house. I have cell phones charged all supplies and candles at the ready. I tied down everything and put them in my shed."

To leave or to stay, it is a question some grappled with yesterday afternoon.

"I have the supplies that I need: Water, groceries," said Donna Jannucci, 47, of Chadwick Beach. "I put the furniture away. My husband has eight jet skis and two boats and has said 'I am not leaving them,' but me on the other hand I want to go back to our other house in Clark."