Bob Merkh of Egg Harbor Township said beer is his first thought.

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – At Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet on Fire Road, a continuous stream of cars was moving in and out of the parking lot Friday afternoon, Aug. 26. People with shopping carts full of wine, beer and other libations were making their way from the warehouse in preparation for Hurricane Irene, expected to directly impact the area on Saturday and Sunday with strong winds, coastal flooding and six to 12 inches of rain. The state and county was urging residents to be prepared and each person was taking their own precautions.

“Beer is my first thought,” Bob Merkh of Egg Harbor Township said. “We’re making the rounds, going to get some ice and some additional gas.”

“Always booze,” was what John Rose of Northfield said he was stocking up on in preparation for Hurricane Irene.

Anita Kiefer of Egg Harbor Township said she was preparing just like everyone else.

“Milk, bread,” Kiefer said, adding that she was optimistic the threat would be idle.

“In all reality, how bad is it going to be? I’m just enjoying watching all the craziness,” Kiefer said.

“Right now I’m just getting some ice for my freezer. Cold cuts. We have some family coming from Cape May,” Rick Mendez of Egg Harbor Township said of his shopping trip Friday afternoon.

By that time, most of the stores began selling out of some of the essentials.

“We had no luck finding batteries,” he said, but he did purchase bottled water and dry goods in case the power goes down.

Shelley Snyder and Megan Finegan of Smithville were also stocking up on ice and wine while they were in the area.

Nati Silva of Egg Harbor Township said she was getting drinks and mixers, as well as some basics.

“Alcohol, soda and water. Ice, bread and junk food,” Silva said. “Got peanut butter, making sure we have flashlights.”

Gina Rogawski of Northfield was picking up some last-minute wine and ice at Canal’s after she was out all day getting ready.

“We got dry ice this morning and we skipped the generator,” Rogawski said. “We stocked up on food and everything, so we’re all set.”

Rogawski said that if need be her neighbors offered their home with a generator in case of emergency.

While most were local residents, some vacationers couldn’t get home before the weekend.

John Shaft of California was visiting family this weekend when news of the storm came. He was doing his part to help his family prepare.

“We’re stocking up on lots of cold, cold beverages,” he laughed as he entered the store.

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Anita Kiefer of Egg Harbor Township said she enjoys watching all the craziness.

Northfield resident John Rose made shore was prepared for Irene.

Rick Mendez of Egg Harbor Township, who was getting ready for the arrival of relatives from cape may, had no luck finding batteries.

Shelley Snyder and Megan Finegan of Smithville were stocking up on ice and wine.

Nati Silva of Egg Harbor Township Nati Silva was stocking up on drinks, mixers, as well as some basics including ice, bread and junk food.

Gina Rogawski of Northfield said her neighbors offered their home with a generator in case of emergency.

Photos by Claire Lowe