From the archives: Preparing for doomsday, Y2K

This story was originally published in Newsday on Dec. 29, 1999.

In the cool darkness of Ralph Dottero's basement in Centereach, jugs of water and cans of fruit lie next to a $ 200 supply of dehydrated food. His power generator, delivered Monday, and the two extra tanks of propane for his barbecue are his insurance against whatever wrath Y2K may bring: computer failures, power outages or anything else that might go wrong.

"I'm not a morbid person, but there are a lot of scenarios that could go on.

You gotta be prepared," said Dottero, 44, a former produce worker, who, like other concerned Long Islanders, have been quietly, or not so quietly, stocking up in the event that New Year's Eve ushers in worldwide chaos.

Camping and outdoor stores in Nassau and Suffolk Counties report a rush on items like power generators, collapsible water bottles, lanterns and propane stoves and guns.

"They've been doing it for the last six months, but it's getting more intense now," said Herb Terowski, assistant manager at Tent and Trailer City in Hempstead, who has watched scores of customers come in to buy provisions in recent weeks.

Tom Sweezey, a part owner at the Campsite, an outdoor store in Huntington, reports that gun sales are even up slightly. Several of his customers have said they are worried about looting, should things go horribly wrong. Just days ago, the FBI reported an increase in gun sales nationally, possibly due to fears of Y2K disruptions.

"They would need them to protect themselves. If someone comes into your house, takes all your food, what are you going to do? I don't know what to believe," said Sweezey, who recently ordered a $ 600 double supply of freeze-dried food, anticipating there might be a run on it. "I think a lot of people just feel they'd rather be safe than sorry." Experts say doomsday thinking is fueled by caution as well as deep-rooted paranoia. "Let's face it, there is so much out there in the media and the Internet, one has to be a Ted Kaczynski, living in the mountains, to avoid hearing about Y2K," said Harvey Kushner, head of the criminal justice program at Long Island University and an expert on millennial and terrorism studies.

"There's a whole folklore out there." Those preparing for possible problems range from the mildly concerned to people convinced that the end of the world will come, if not this week, then sometime soon after. Among the latter are members of fundamentalist religious groups who ascribe to apocalyptic thinking.

Interviews with pastors and congregants show that local fundamentalist Christians have adopted a positive view in embracing the spiritual importance of the arrival of the Year 2000 as a time of reconciliation and renewal. While diverse, they are united in the belief that the millennium-or the 1,000-year reign on earth of the returned Christ-is at hand, based on the literal interpretation of the Bible.

Yet the most ardent believers say humankind has become so sinful that the millennium will occur only through the destruction of current existence and Christ's triumphant return. They believe that the faithful will be safe-holding a balcony seat, so to speak-while all the unsaved must withstand Armageddon, the ultimate earthly battle in which the forces of good triumph over evil.

Law enforcement authorities fear that some fringe fundamentalists might attempt to hasten the apocalypse by inciting acts of violence this weekend. Kushner said, however, he knows of no specific threats from apocalyptic groups, terrorists, or cults on Long Island.

Local Jewish leaders say they have heard not specific threats against their community either. But leaders of some organizations are on edge, expressing concerns that apocalyptic thinkers may react violently if their prophesies are not realized. "There is every reason to remain vigilant," said Michael Miller, executive vice president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.

In recent days authorities in Canada and the United States have stepped up investigations into terror-related activity and issued warnings for Americans traveling overseas. This comes after the FBI released a report warning of possible violence by U.S. cults and other fringe groups over the Year 2000 weekend.

Scholars and law enforcement authorities say some of the most violent incidents of recent years were either spurred by or have become infused with misplaced apocalyptic and millennial thinking and themes. A partial list includes the killings at Ruby Ridge, Idaho; the assault of the Branch Davidian compound in Texas; the related Oklahoma City bombing; the siege of the Montana Freemen; Aum Shinrikyo's nerve gas attack in Japan; and suicides by members of the Order of the Solar Temple and Heavens Gate cults.

Preston Nichols, 53, of East Islip, a self-described survivalist, is less worried about Y2K glitches and violence than he is about an asteroid hitting the earth or biological or nuclear war. He believes the millennium could bring a few weeks' worth or problems, and a small money crisis, but he fears what will happen after the new year.

"What's the Scout motto? Be prepared. So if there is any possibility of a Y2K problem, I think it pays to be prepared for a while," Nichols said.

Not only has Nichols equipped a camper with survival equipment including a generator and a radio reconnaissance system, he has amassed weeks' worth of dried food and water, which he keeps in a barn near his property.

If things really do go wrong, he's poised to drive a few hours away to an underground bunker "in the mountains" (he wouldn't disclose the exact location), which is stocked with provisions and bedding for a much longer period of time.

Lori Conti, 44, of Massapequa, is more mainstream. A mother of two, Conti cites prudence in explaining why she has stocked extra gallons of water and dehydrated food in her laundry room. Just as she does before the threat of power outages due to hurricanes, she has left flashlights throughout the house, purchased extra propane and set up a generator.

"I'm not preparing for the end of the world, and if I thought that way, I might as well bury myself right now," Conti said. But, she added, "Better safe than sorry."