Although skies were clear and sunny Friday afternoon, the tell-tale signs of nerves about the arrival of Hurricane Irene were everywhere: most people out and about in the neighborhood were toting jugs of Poland Spring water or grocery bags full of supplies.
Reactions to this weekend's impending storm have quickly shifted from speculation to action.
If you weren't taking it seriously before, city advisories such as a mandatory evacuation of Red Hook and an MTA shutdown, has prompted a rush to the local grocery store to grab essentials.
Boerum Hill resident Sarah Smith said her family has been calling her since 9 a.m. yesterday morning, urging her to get out of the city altogether and evacuate upstate. She'll be sticking around, but she's being careful to cover her bases.
"I thought people were being scared and blowing it out of proportion, but now its starting to look real," she said. "It could get serious!"
Among the items in her shopping cart: extra gallons of water, candles and plenty of non-perishable foods like prepared canned-goods, bread and peanut butter.
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"Everyone's coming in for D batteries," said a shop attendant in the bodega on Court and Degraw streets.
A young shopper and his mother stopped by for some quick purchases of soda and snacks.
"I heard its going to be up to here," signaled the boy with a palm stretched up to the ceiling.
"We live in Red Hook but not that far out. I feel bad for everyone who has to evacuate," sighed his mother, who preferred she and her son not be named.
Some are still keeping the mood light, like at Bagels by the Park, which was jokingly advertising "Hurricane supplies here!" on a sidewalk chalk board earlier this afternoon.
Maureen St. Vincent, a South Slope resident, gets straight to the point.
"I don't know what's going to happen! Is our building going to all fall down? Are we all going to die?" she asked.
St. Vincent said she'd be stocking up at on Court Street this evening, but she better get there soon.
By 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, the line of nervous shoppers stretched around the corner, halfway down Atlantic Avenue.
The employee standing at the door was letting in groups of about a dozen or so shoppers at a time, and said the line had been forming steadily for "a few hours."
Karen Gail was surprised to find the line.
"Is this because of the hurricane?" she asked.
Gail admits she did not really prepare.
"I used to live in the islands so I've seen hurricanes before. I don't think it will be as bad as they say. New York's made of concrete, its anchored, I think it should be ok, but ask me again once we're in the middle of the storm!"
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A fellow shopper agreed.
"It should be ok. I'm just trying to get some milk and water!"
Inside, shelves in the bread, milk and cereal isles were wiped clean.
"We're out of everything," confirmed the door attendant.
In spite of crowds and dwindling supplies, spirits remained amiable. So far, Brooklyn is preparing for the worst, but residents are attempting to keep the mood light.
