“Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!” is a favorite saying of my parents during the months of June – November. Coastal areas call this time period Hurricane Season. This is a time to prepare for wind, rain, and possibly an evacuation.

The LSU AgCenter agrees and that is why the website www.LSUAgCenter.com has a wealth of information concerning preparation for storms & floods: Preparing Your Evacuation “Grab and Go” Box; What’s a 3-day Emergency Food Supply?; Answer These 20 Questions to Find Out If You're Ready for a Hurricane; Play It Safe with Food; Take Steps to Protect What’s in Your Refrigerator/ Freezer Before a Storm; Stock Up on Hurricane Supplies Now; Sample Menu for a three-day food supply.

Suggestions: Include ready-to-eat canned or packaged meats, beans & fish (sardines, tuna, salmon), fruits packed in natural juice, canned vegetables, canned or powdered milk, 100% juice boxes, and plenty of water. Nuts (including nut butters such as peanut butter or nutella) and seeds, dried fruit, dry cereal, breakfast bars do not need refrigeration and will last for weeks.

Boy Scouts call it being prepared. The LSU AgCenter calls it being smart. You can be prepared, too. All it takes is proper planning, cooperation, and some effort. Navigate the website and you will find a wealth of information to help you during hurricane season.

NOTE: go to: www.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/news/Storm+Flood+News/ for these articles and more information.

And yes, now that you are prepared… it is better to be safe than sorry and hope for the best.