Big Blue store manager Garry Jones takes a quick look at a document Tuesday at the hardware store, as residents made last-minute preparations. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

As Hurricane Florence gets closer to the area, residents did their parts to prepare Tuesday.

Jay Falk, who lives in Walnut Creek, said he purchased a chainsaw to clear branches from trees in his yard in case it becomes necessary.

“If anything falls, I’ll be ready,” Falk said. “I know (Hurricane) Florence will be tough, but I know what to expect. It could be a lot worse — we could be on the coast.”

Kinston resident Bradley Toews said he was searching for some sort of tarp to cover up important materials.

“I’m looking for tarp for my equipment and I also need something to make sure the dogs are taken care of,” Toews said. “I’ll focus on the animals first before myself.”

Throughout the area, hardware stores were full of customers looking to make last-minute preparations. Garry Jones, the store manager of Big Blue, said materials’ sales has been brisk and that there have been preparations made for more materials.

“We’ve sold a lot of generators, flashlight batteries, tarp, waters, electrical plugs and gas cans to name a few,” Jones said. “It’s been like this since Friday and we should have a truckload of generators coming (Wednesday) morning. We’re also hoping to have some flashlight batteries that morning too.”

Although the stores have been hectic, the roads may be even busier. N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Andre Barrett said he understands the haste of residents, but wants them to pay attention to driving and stay safe on the streets.

“A lot of people are making last-minute preparations and judgement calls, in in their haste have produced issues on the road with a lot of collisions,” Barrett said. “If anything, you have to be careful. There’s a lot of traffic on the roads, especially westbound, and it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get to your destination, as long as you’re there safely.”