Powerball pandemonium swept the city yesterday as the jackpot rose to $500 million for tonight’s drawing.

Dreamers — like those above lining up at an East Side convenience store — spent $2 per ticket for a 1-in-175 million chance of scoring the record Powerball jackpot.

“You know what, I got two bucks in my pocket,” said storm-struck Staten Islander Cathy Philip. “If I hit it, I can help my family.”