The 2019 hurricane season is underway. And all is quiet — for now — in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Gulf of Mexico.

It began June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30.

Given our history of the past three years, with the region feeling the effects of hurricanes each year, Southwest Georgia residents should prepare for whatever the next six months may hold.

Southwest Georgia preparations should include:

• Disaster kits with water and nonperishable food for at least three days, portable radio and flashlights with plenty of batteries, prescription medication, important documents, and other special needs, such as baby diapers.

• An emergency plan so each family member knows how to find others. Have another emergency contact person who lives out of town.

• Stay informed on evacuation orders and routes. Check with your insurance agent on flood insurance and your homeowner’s policy.

• Businesses should have a disaster plan to locate employees, to continue business if the physical location is severely damaged or destroyed, etc.

Even though Southwest Georgia has experienced the brunt of hurricanes during the past few years, too many people do not prepare for the possibility of disastrous weather until days prior to a storm’s predicted landfall.

Last-minute preparations lead to situations such as what has happened here in the past when bottled water and canned foods disappear from store shelves to a point where some people had more than plenty and others had nothing stocked.

Stock up on perishable foods now in case of food shortages or electrical outages in the wake of a hurricane or storm.

A little preparation now can save time, money and worry later.

For more information on these and other preparations, go to www.ready.ga.gov.