Stopped by my local COSTCO(Northern VA) to stock up on a few things. They had plenty of propane tanks and generators. Mind you, this area has more IT companies than Silicon Valley. No panic here yet.

-- fatanddumb (fatdumb@nd.happy), December 19, 1999

Answers

My Costco just north of Boston Mass. is the fat-test I have ever seen. Lots of all that great prep stuff. More then likely exspecting a big week. However all the 5 and 6 gal. water jugs gone. Lots of folks not returning the emptys. Plenty of 1 gal. and smaller...---...

-- Les (yoyo@tolate.com), December 19, 1999.

Central Ohio Sams report. No problemento. The crowd was big but in scanning the carts while in the checkout line there is NO preparation whatsoever. And the crowd was waiting for parking spaces but only for Sunday and pre Holiday shopping. I was starting to worry with the press coverage picking up but now am back to my Panic after Christmas.

My suggestion for mid week, why people are looking for last minute Holiday frozen peas, is to stock up on fresh fruit. No telling how sporadic bannana's could be if the supply chain seizes up.

Merry Christmas, and have a safe Holiday.

-- Squid (ItsDark@down.here), December 19, 1999.

here in western Pa. the Quality farm and fleet is advertizing $30 to $300 off any generator in the store, last time i was there they had about 20-25 in stock. the herd still sleeps.

hillbilly

-- hillbilly (hillblilly@keystone.com), December 19, 1999.

Hillbilly,

Yes but it would behoove you to not stand near the door if the power goes off.

Those extra gen sets will just fly out the door.

Bet the discount disappears;^)

-- LM (latemarch@usa.net), December 19, 1999.

Reasons why I do not have a generator:

1. Gasoline availability and storage problems.

2. Replacement parts and maintenance.

3. Noise level and the attention drawn to you.

4. Lack of power to generate electricity for average home.

5. What good is a generator when all of the above fails?

-- Rasty (Rasty@bulldoggg.xcom), December 19, 1999.

I see no need for a generator(for myself anyway). I did buy a coleman stove today and some propane tanks. All of my appliances are electric, including stove, so I would have no other way to cook otherwise. There were lots of supplies left at Walmart, in southern CA. I've seen propane, etc. at Kmart. I also noticed some propane and other items at True Value Hardware, though rather expensive. I did hear more stories today about martial law signs falling out of military hummers. How true they are, I can't say for sure. Peace ... Cin

-- cin (cinlooo@aol.com), December 19, 1999.

Rasty,

You must live in downdown Manhattan, otherwise all the reasons you gave are certainly NOT valid. I can't believe what I read.

-- Vernon Hale (create@premiernet.net), December 19, 1999.

The drawing attention to yourself is a point in an urban enviorment but the more rural you are the less the few neighbors are going to be a problem. In fact I would be willing to trade warming time for gasoline contributions.

-- Squid (ItsDark@down.here), December 19, 1999.

Rasty: Propane generators are safer, not that noticeable (in a rural neighborhood), clean, run everything in the house and, if you get one with that automatic switch thing, a breeze. But, one can't depend solely on a generator, you're right. Any generator is just another layer of protection/splitting the risk/redundancy--so how can it hurt?

-- Schlomo (steverromano@eaton.com), December 19, 1999.

No problem in the Pacific Northwest yet! We have two COSTCOs in our area lots of camping stuff on hand. have noticed less TP on hand. I work for the navy at one of the three city's in Washington State That's on the navys Master Utility List. And you think you have Problems.The BOY Scout Motto "Be Prepared " works for me I'm ready

-- John Ludwig (gunstarr@olypen.com), December 19, 1999.

Federal Way Costco today - lots of generators and lots of buyer - saw at least 6 in that aisle as I went by to get the final 3 bags of dog food. Also, strange thing I have noticed for up here (just south of Seattle) - lots and lots of bar-b-ques out and lots of propane tanks. Eagle and Home Depot both have the BBQ's out, and they have the 100 gal. propane tanks at a considerably less than what they were running last summer - were $83 last summer, now Eagle has them at $62 and Home Depot at $59. Usually this summer type of thing is long gone by Christmas.

Sams was really busy yesterday and lots of stocking up going on. Lots of 6 and 8 packs of soups and chili and ready-made spaghetti sauce etc. One woman had 10 boxes of dried milk - and 3 boxes of Top Raman 2 bags of rice and 3 of pinto beans.

Tend to think the same 60% that supposedly didn't want Clinton impeached are the 60% that are not preparing because it seems like there are more than some 5% or whatever they say it is, who are doing some preps at least.

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.xnet), December 19, 1999.

Colorado SAMS report:

More people in the past weeking prepping than before. Saw a number of carts and flats with food staples, propane bottles and tanks, and kerosene heaters. Back in September, the store got in about 400 55 gal plastic drums which were stacked up about 30' high along the wall. They've been gone for about a month, with no restocks. Glad I got mine when I did. $22 a pop was a pretty good deal.

Still more Christmas shopping than prepping, though.

-- rob minor (rbminor@hotmail.com), December 20, 1999.

No evidence of stocking up in the SF Bay Area at Costco or Sams, just normal holiday shopping. Regarding 20# propane tanks -- Costco doesn't carry them at this time of year, Home Depot does but evidently none are available at any of their outlets here (some kind of supply chain problem, cause unspecified), but the local Sams had 51 in stock (I bought two more).

-- dhg (dhgold@pacbell.net), December 20, 1999.

Hit Costco and Walmart (So.Cal) Sunday evening. Plenty of everything. Gens and butane tanks at Costco, most camping supplies at Walmart.

Picked up cooking oil at Costco. I use it in my lamps and water candles. Got duel fuel camp stove at Walmart.

NOTE: EVERYBODY WHO IS BUYING STUFF, TRY IT OUT!!!! YOU DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT THAT A PIECE OF YOUR STOVE IS MISSING OR LEAKS, OR YOU NEED A NEW FILTER IN YOUR GENERATOR AFTER THE FIRST 10 HOUR BREAKIN RUN.

-- woody (woody11420@aol.com), December 20, 1999.

I am also in SoCA. Right now there does seem to be a sudden lack of people prepping. I had been seeing them but now? No one. I seem to be the only one walking around piling up the canned goods in a cart.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), December 20, 1999.

Up here in California's wine country Home Depot and OSH both have the gas grill 20lb size propane tanks. HD has 100 and 300 lb tanks as well. Wallyworld had the small camping size on sale 2/$3.50. I've seen many people stocking up on camping gear, propane, and case lot foods. No resupply problems apparent.

-- CA 4x4 (4x4@my.house), December 20, 1999.

Our Home Depot has been out of 20 lb. propane tanks for about a week. They had smaller sizes (11 lb?) but they are now gone.

-- No Polly (nopolly@hotmail.com), December 20, 1999.

Portland, OR Costco (Clackamas Store)

Two visits this week. I've been "scanning the carts". Mostly Christmas and routine stuff, but some carts full of TP, paper towels, etc., so it is hard to say if that is Y2K or just a Mormon mother on a weekly shopping trip.

I did see a couple purchasing two 15 gallon water barrels yesterday, though, so they are either prepping or plan on having a hell of a lot of punch at their christmas party.

I do overhear Y2K conversations here and there. I have taken December off of work for many reasons, so I am out and about a lot. I recently heard an older couple at the quick print shop discussing if they should cancel their January travel plans because of Y2K (They sort of whispered that last part).

For the most part, I think people are asleep, or very, very quiet about prepping.

-- Frank&Beans (Something@bout.Mary), December 20, 1999.