As forecasters were predicting yesterday that Tropical Storm Hanna would regain strength and hit New Providence as a category one hurricane by tomorrow and Tropical Storm Ike also posed a threat, many Bahamians were slow to purchase the necessary supplies to prepare their properties for the onslaught. But some store operators said some people bought supplies days in advance.

There were mixed reports from various establishments.

A Kelly's Lumber Yard employee reported that up to late yesterday afternoon only a small number of people had visited the establishment to buy supplies to hurricane proof their homes and businesses.

"They are not coming in droves or anything; only a limited number of persons have been coming in to purchase hurricane supplies," manager John Culmer told The Nassau Guardian yesterday.


"Right now we are still kind of watching and seeing what is going to happen because I guess we are going to have to make adjustments by staying open late or whatever else. But at present, we have not seen [a] drastic increase in customers. Basically it has just been kind of normal," Culmer said.

He chalked it up to Bahamians waiting until the last minute to take the necessary precautions.

And while a Kelly's Home Center official painted a similar picture about customers trickling in, she did admit that some people bought hurricane supplies over the weekend.

"We had quite a bit of customers from Saturday, who came in with their lists," said Susan Glinton, a senior buyer for the establishment.

She explained that they were purchasing things like lanterns, flashlights, batteries ? the normal items needed in case the electricity goes off.

A JBR Building Supplies supervisor reported that the store had its peak periods followed by a lull.

"They started coming in on Saturday looking for nails, barrel bolts (latches for hurricane shutters), bags of sand, nails, and turbine covers," she said. "While we have not had heavy traffic there are times when we do have our peak periods and then there is a lull."

But the employee expects that things will pick up as Hanna nears the capital.

"We do have a lot of people coming in, but they are not rushing to get the necessary items. They come by looking for something else and they purchase something for the hurricane here or there," said a John S. George employee.

She added, however, that there have been inquiries regarding search lights, lanterns, ropes and cords.

Manager at Super Value Golden Gates, Livingstone Armbrister, said sales were on the upswing.

According to Armbrister, the weather systems caused a huge crowd on Monday night. He said customers purchased can goods and other items necessary for the storms.

"We had to do a special order," Armbrister added. The shelves, he said, have been restocked.

"We are a veteran company, and we are used to [that kind] of rush with people coming in and doing heavy shopping at the last minute. We coped with that and made the necessary adjustments," Armbrister explained.

City Market Cable Beach manager, Romano Johnson, said while the customers were not coming in to do heavy grocery shopping, there was a demand for water.

"We, however, have enough in stock and we should be able to serve our customers well," Johnson said.

By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE