Rockville Centre residents and businesses prepare for Hurricane Sandy

Last year’s experience with Hurricane Irene has ensured that many Rockville Centre residents are taking Hurricane Sandy’s devastating potential seriously.

Driving through the village early Monday, the streets are mostly empty, as many residents stocked up on food and supplies over the weekend. For those families who held off till today, though, certain businesses in the village will remain open.

One such business is Ace Hardware, at 315 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, which will stay open for anyone who needs key storm supplies.

“We’ve been very active over the weekend and we’re staying open today,” said Joe Sherman, a manager of the hardware store. Sherman said he was busy preparing for more expected customers Monday morning as the storm was nearly upon the village.

Some businesses will display a sense of bravado in remaining open in advance of Hurricane Sandy, which is being called by many the worst storm to hit Long Island in 100 years.

“We’re going to be open till we drop,” said Shalom Messilaty, the owner of Bagelry at 1 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre. “We’re New Yorkers. If it gets dangerous then we’ll close, but otherwise we’re staying open.”

The panic over the storm has driven residents out to the stores in packs, leading to busy, and profitable, days. Some residents living in flood zones and mandatory evacuation areas have relocated temporarily to hotels in Rockville Centre. The mandatory evacuation order, issued Sunday by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, includes Rockville Centre residences south of Merrick Road.

“We have people calling since early yesterday, more than 300 people and we’re fully booked,” said Cristina Velez, the general manager of Hampton Inn at 125 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre. “We have flashlights, a backup generator and the staff is ready. We are very well prepared.”