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Having lived in Florida for several years, I am well aware of the hurricane routine. In order to survive the ordeal, there are certain steps that need to be taken before and after the hurricane hits. Common sense dictates the need for preparedness in any disaster situation, and since disaster can strike at anytime, it is a wise precaution to always have emergency supplies.

Before the hurricane:

1. Make sure your emergency supplies are fully stocked with enough for each household member for at least three days.

- Battery operated lights and radio with an ample supply of batteries.

- Drinking water

- First-aid-kit and prescription medications.

- Food which requires no refrigeration, including baby food and pet food if it applies.

- Garbage bags and paper towels.

- Tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers and knives.

- Full tank of gas in your automobile.

- Toothbrushes and toothpaste.

- Toilet paper

- Manual can opener.

- Bedding such as blankets and pillows.

- Tarp in case of roof damage

- Car charger for your cell phone -

Matches or lighters

- Cash

- Clothes

- Mild soap (bar or liquid)

2. Take digitally dated pictures of your home, inside and out, for insurance purposes. Add them to all of your important documents and store them in a waterproof container.

3. Gather anything outside that could take flight in a strong wind, becoming a missile, and store or batten them down.

4. Board up windows and doors. Get sandbags to keep water out of your home, which can be obtained, usually free, at your local fire station.

5. Fill the gas tank in your automobile, and extra gas for a generator if you have one.

6. Make absolutely sure your radios and car phone charger are functioning correctly.

7. Contact friends and relatives and get together on a route in case you have to evacuate. Make sure you have all of the recent phone numbers.

8. If you decide to ride out the storm, make sure to park your automobile on high ground in case of flooding. Be careful not to park beneath a tree which could fall or drop a limb on it.

9. Prepare a mini survival kit with food, water and other essentials you may need in case you need to go to a shelter.

10. Having done all of these things, watch the updates and track the storm.

After the hurricane:

If you rode out the storm, use caution when going outside because downed power lines can kill. Also, poisonous snakes have been known to take lives after a severe storm so carry a stick as you walk around surveying the damage to make sure there are no snakes lurking beneath

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