It occurred to me after reading a number of dispatches today that people in the northern and eastern states - more used to severe weather than we are here in SoCal - are stocking up more purposefully than in the Southwest...as if their experience of the last couple of years makes them wary, whereas we have had only some fires, a few minor earthquakes, and the El Nino floods - causing localized havoc, but not affecting the entire region...

To add to Martin's great observations:

My daughter was out shopping when the offices closed. She said there was considerable action at two grocery stores...especially people queued up to fill their water jugs, because one machine was on the fritz...She described the scene as "heavy business", but no signs of panic or hoarding....

She also went to the local discount gas station: Lines, but no panic, no impatience...just as it might be before a long weekend.

So, I would guess there are some people who are still loading up on gas, water and batteries...But that most of those who are making preparations have already stocked the heavier duty stuff.

And once again, we can't let our laid-back reputation be rocked just by a millennium.

PS, written early Dec 31: The local TV station, which is not entirely trustworthy, reported it its late night news, and repeated this morning that there had been a rush to stockpile last night on all the usual items. Their definition of a rush remains debatable.

-- Bayard Stockton (drayab@silcom.com), December 31, 1999

Answers

Just got back from my last trip to town for the one thousand millenium. Slightly heavier action at the gas station (I got two more jugs full for the genset) and business as usual in the rest of Santa Ynez. Our biggest concern here on the farm is lack of rain. Got 500 acres of sown oats out there waitng...

-- John Hulburd (ARRACANA@SILCOM.COM), December 31, 1999.