Fairway this morning at 8:30AM was crowded with locals stocking up on hurricane supplies and grub to get them through the storm.

Red Hook is in Zone A, so the residents there do have something to worry about if the storm hits New York City as expected. Fairway, however, plans to stay open Monday. They opened on the day Hurricane Irene, as well, though they sent workers home at noon, one employee told me.

Experts say the following should be in your Hurricane Preparedness Kit. You know, the one you keep in your house or apartment at all times. Hah.

Water. Store cases of distilled water in gallon jugs in the basement or garage. Water-purification tablets also can be purchased from camping supply stores.

Ice. Keep store-bought bags in your freezer and replace them occasionally so they’re fresh.

Plastic coolers. Use them to store cooked food and other perishables, including medicines, on ice.

Batteries. Store a large supply of rechargeable batteries to use around the house. Since they’re useless if they can’t be recharged, have a stash of disposable ones, too.

Transistor radio. Keep track of the news and emergency updates.

Flashlight or lanterns. Camping lanterns that burn propane or butane are handy alternatives to battery-powered units.

Cooking appliance. Perishable food can be kept longer once cooked.

Matches and candles. Keep them dry by storing in a plastic or vacuum-sealed bag.

Dried food. Beef or turkey jerky and dried fruits have long shelf lives. Other nonperishables can include energy bars and cereal bars.

First-aid kit. A basic kit is a must. You might add prescription medicine, such as inhalers, based on the needs of your family. Include pain reliever, large bandages, etc.