HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS - Demand generated for back-ups
Following last year's hurricanes and power outages, homeowners are on the hunt for their own generators, just in case.
BY SUSAN SALISBURY
Palm Beach Post
WEST PALM BEACH - During the post-hurricane dog days last year, John Natale Jr.'s house was Electricity Central for his fellow residents of River Bridge in Greenacres.
"I had two or three neighbors come over every morning with their whole coffeepot and plug it in," said Natale, speaking about his portable 10,000-watt generator, which the co-owner of lake management firm Palm Beach Aquatics fired up after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.
As the June 1 start of the hurricane season looms ever closer, homeowners who haven't forgotten what is was like to sweat in their sleep and read by flashlight are buying generators to keep the power coming.
"In the last couple of weeks we've had tons of calls from people asking about generators," said Felix Finnegan Sr., owner of Blast Off Equipment on South Military Trail in suburban West Palm Beach. "The people who plan ahead don't have such a rough time."
Photographer: PETER COSGROVE/AP
Picture Caption: BEING PREPARED: Bobby Robillard of Orlando, right, prepared for last year's hurricanes by purchasing a generator, air conditioner, water and rope. Home Depot cashier Rachel Conliff, left, totals the cost.