Waiting for Hurricane Irene in East Rockaway, Lynbrook

Facebook has really become a network in the best sense in the last few days. Friends are exchanging ideas about the hurricane, what they're doing to prepare, how their dealing with it emotionally. People are offering their homes to friends who need to evacuate!

Our Lynbrook/East Rockaway Facebook friends are chatting away. Here is what they have to say:

Doreen L: We're staying put, even though we're technically in an evacuation zone south of Sunrise. Most of my neighbors are staying here as well. Everything is strapped down, locked down and we have plenty of water and food to hold us over, should things get bad. I didn't get a canoe, though -- hopefully won't have use for one!

Steve M: I'm heading south to my in laws in Oceanside, they live on the canals, so I figured it would be more interesting down there, plus they would panic if anything happened

Charles P: ‎.....Goldy's for a bottle, La Favorita for a hero.....

Carol Ann: TOOK ALL MY HANGING PLANTS DOWN,NOW TAKING MY GAZEBO DOWN, ALL LAWN FURNITURE IN THE GARAGE AND PAILS,SAD BECAUSE THAT WAS MY LITTLE BIT OF PARADISE FOR THE SUMMER -- MY YARD.

Carol Ann: MY SON JUST CALLED FROM DISNEYLAND "FLIGHT CANCELLED UNTIL TUES.SUPPOSED TO COME HOME TOMORROW, EXTENDED VACATION" -- EVERYTHING OK AT THE HOME FRONT, RAIN NOW WAITING AND ANTICIPATING THE WORST,BUT HOPE FOR THE BEST."

Mary-jo L: Everyone on Maiden Lane in Lynbrook is staying put. Stocked up on water & food. Flashlights recharged & ready. Ice in coolers for when power goes out. Walkie-Talkies handed out to all the neighbors. Letting the kids eat ice cream for dinner, so it won't go to waste! I have a few cases of beer, in preparation for my son's now rescheduled first birthday party. And let's not forget the two boats on my neighbor's lawn. We've got an arc if we need to flee! lol

Ann Marie C: A half block south of Sunrise on Atlantic Avenue, most of us in this condo complex are staying put. Windows taped, balconies cleared, water, food, battery operated T.V., radio, etc. handy. Hope I am overprepared and don't need any of it. We'll see!

Jacquie M R.: Staying put. nervous. sick of watching the weather channel and News 12....just want it over!!!!!

Vicki P: Double stuff Oreo cookies which now, by the way, also come triple stuffed, and vanilla Breyers. What else do you need? Oh, yeah, a flashlight!