A little pre-storm update from my area:

By Thursday night, it became impossible to find a generator. All sold out everywhere. Lots of "Sorry, No Generators" signs.

By Friday night, it became impossible to find a gas powered pump or electric sump pump. All sold out. Small size wet vacs were still available until Saturday.

Bottled water was gone from the food store by Saturday night. As was bread and eggs.

Plenty of batteries, flashlights, and candles still available.

Gas stations still have plenty of gas and the lines at the pump weren't much worse than usual.

There was a huge line to get sandbags from the town. Each home was limited to maximum of 10 sandbags.

Spoke with some local Fire/Police officials about their plan of action. Essentially, if the weather is too bad, they aren't going to respond to calls, period. Once they get a break in the weather, they'll respond in order of severity. This could mean extensive wait times for calling 911.

Along the same lines, we were told that if our power goes out, don't expect it to come on until probably Wednesday at the earliest. Utility crews will be stationed around town, but aren't being sent out until they're given the all clear. Same goes for phone lines obviously.

Spoke with a friend who lives on the main land directly across from the barrier islands (which have been evacuated). He's not under mandatory evacuation, but he's leaving anyway. Storm Surge is expected to be 4-8ft and his bulk head is only about 5ft off the high-tide water line. Therefore, he fully expects a flooded first floor of his house and has prepared for it as best he can.

Right now I'm on standby in case anything happens at our commercial properties. Biggest worry for us is a gas main rupture, as we've got a few very large mains coming into the buildings. A breakage could effect natural gas pressure for the entire town, as well as potentially causing a major explosion. Went out early this morning to check the street side valves and practice shutting them off in a hurry to minimize time spent in the elements.