Ivan causing Panic *AND* Nonchalance.

[Ripley]

There seems to be two reactions this morning to the coming storm in my area (south of Tuscaloosa, AL). Those who say "big deal" it's only gonna be some rain, who aren't preparing (including the idiot owner of my gym who said he would probably be open tomorrow - HAH!). And those freaking out.

I already had batteries, water, canned food...but decided to get more after hearing the local weather guy say Alabama Power has stated this storm will hit the entire state and folks should be prepared to be without power 7 days! So, I went to Lowes, Home Depot and Kmart (I knew better than to go to Walmart) and they were completely out of D batteries. Got tarps and duct tape anyway. Then I went to the grocery store where I saw people buying milk, eggs, cheese, frozen pizzas, etc.. They must have a generator or are as dumb as nails.

Then I saw a woman with D batteries in her basket...she said they were over there in a cart. So I strolled over and there was a freaking mob! I asked someone gathering some of the 2-packs how much they were and she said "Who cares? This is all there is left in the city!" A nice old man said they were $2.50/2 pack and he saw them last week at Walmart for $4.98 for a 4 pack (yeah, lowest prices guaranteed my ass). He made room for me and I grabbed a box with 5 packs in it.

A woman at another store said she saw fist fights over batteries at Wal-Mart last night and people were just cleaning off entire shelves of canned goods into their carts. On the way home lines were into the street at the gas stations.

I don't recommend panic and over-buying, but I find it strange some people don't seem to prepare at all. Anyway, I hope everyone, including all the other DUers in Ivan's path are ready and stay safe. I guess I won't be able to check in with DU for awhile after tonight.

I've got to go pull everything inside from my yard now.

[Terran]

1. Fist fights at Wal Mart over batteries

And there you have the real America, or at least much of America. All that crap about people helping each other goes down the toilet so easily. I'm afraid that's our future, given the impending climate crises and peak oil. Four hurricanes in a row is just the beginning.

Sorry, I'm in a mood here. x(