Any number of events . . . Such apocalyptic rhetoric is not uncommon around Orange City, a small town in northwestern Iowa. At last count, there were 10 churches ministering to its 5,200 residents, predominantly of Dutch ancestry. And it's not uncommon to see a group of women bow their heads in prayer over breakfast at the local Hardee's. But Schwiesow's call to action was too much for the Sioux County Board of Supervisors, which quickly distanced itself from the sheriff by writing a letter of its own.
Orange City is prepared for the millennium.
And if any reserve officers are to be enlisted, they must undergo at least 105 hours of weapons training, according to Iowa state law. Across the country, people are preparing for Y2K in many ways, such as stocking up on non-perishable foods, installing wood stoves and investing in megawatt generators. Butane is big. In Nashville, thousands have sought peace of mind at a new store called 00 Emergency Survival Supplies. Since the store opened in February, people who fear the arrival of the millennium have bought rice and dried beans, water containers, water purification equipment and alternative energy products.