Are you in an area that can get hit with a hurricane? Be prepared. I know there are a lot of people out there that think, this won't happen to me. Well, stop thinking that. Hurricanes are out there and you never know where it may come on land at. So many people have lost their lives or lost everything they own to hurricanes.

When it is announced that there is a storm out there brewing, get ready and stay ready. Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th.

I have been prepared for years now and will always be ready to pack up and head out if I was told to evacuate. I have very large Rubber Maid containers packed with everything I would need to survive, I even some food, which I check the dates on and make sure they are still good. I keep cans of food and the small dinners on a shelf in my back room next to my containers. If I get somewhere that I can't heat them, then I know I can eat them cold and survive the hurricane without starving. I also keep cases of water on hand too.

In one my containers I keep flashlights, batteries, cooking utensils, paper plates, paper cups, plastic flatware, a small butane cooking stove, pots and pans, a small radio and rain gear.

In the other container I keep blankets, pillows, air mattresses and sheets. I also have a tent that I bought just for this occasion. I am very thankful I only had to use it one time. I also have a plan, if I should have to leave, grab only the things that can't be replaced, which is family pictures and portraits and of course your pets. I have four birds that I keep smaller cages for incase we have to leave in a hurry. Think of your pet and what you will do with him or her. Do you have a carrier to keep it in. If not you might want to think about getting one.

If you are ordered to evacuate, do so as soon as possible and try to stay as calm as possible. There are a lot of other people out there doing the same thing and traffic will be backed up. Make sure you take enough liquids to drink and food to eat. You may be on the road for hours. It took me eight hours to make a normal three hour trip. If you have children, make sure you take things to entertain them while in the car and away from home. They may be too young to know what is going on and may get cranky. Take them into consideration. This is a time when tempers flair.

I remember being evacuated and we ended up in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Thomasville, Ga. That is one experience I will never forget. Not only was Wal-mart nice enough to let up pitch tents in their parking lot and in the grassy area, they also told us to let then know if we needed anything. The next day there were people from churches and businesses coming around handing out food. At lunch time, Wal-Mart fired up grills and served hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks to all the campers. The hospitality was great and the people camping around us were very sad but nice.

We were very lucky that the hurricane had passed our area and we could return home in a day or so, I am sure there were others that weren't so lucky. What I am saying, be prepared. Make plans on what you will do if you are being threatened. Please don't wait until the last minute, that may be too late.