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The Smiths live right down the block from the water in Manhattan Beach, but they’re not panicking about Hurricane Irene.

"Usually, down here the water doesn't come in that much and we're pretty secure," said Norman Smith.

Abe Albenda had a similar attitude about the impending storm, but said if it does wreak havoc, he knows what to do.

"We'll see. If it gets close, I'll move my family away. We'll go with some relatives," said Albenda.

There were more concerned people at the Home Depot in Coney Island buying up supplies for the storm.

"We got flashlights out, generators, we also have emergency trucks that are on the way to help supply people with the items they are going to need in preparation for the storm," said Elijah Donnelly, assistant store manager.

Lizette Rivera filled up a cart with supplies. The Coney Island resident remembers Hurricane Gloria, which hit the city hard in 1985.

"Absolutely, absolutely, and of course the flood of ‘92, I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, and that was a nor’easter, so I've seen some devastation in this area," said Rivera.

Sal Chiaramonte, also from Coney Island, remembers Gloria, too. He was picking up plywood to protect his home.

"The water rolls right down the street when you have a major storm here, just fills the basement, so we're going to board up all the windows and doors and try and prevent this,” said Chiaramonte.

Back in Manhattan Beach, Norman Smith summed it all up: "You can expect the worst and hope for the best."