Last weeks Gulf Coast Newspaper weekly poll had provoking questions with interesting results. The question "How active do you believe this hurricane season will be?" brought up some good points. The voters had five answers to choose from and the most voted answer was "I think it will be pretty average". From the National Hurricane Center our hurricane season is predicted to be near to normal; meaning we can expect 12-16 named storms, 6-9 hurricanes and 2 –5 major hurricanes.

Since Katrina we have been very blessed to have two summer seasons with little or no storms. Do you think we will have a third quiet season? I certainly hope so but we should not forget to be prepared just in case. Especially those who live close to the coast. Local churches and other organizations have set up calling systems so everyone can be accounted for after the storms.

The word from FEMA is: "Americans in hurricane-prone states must get serious and be prepared. Government – even with the federal, tribal, state and local governments working perfectly in sync – is not the entire answer. Everyone is part of the emergency management process…." So according to our government, we are ultimately responsible for how prepared our families are for the next storm. This makes sense to me because in reality, even if the government said they could take care of us— really can’t do it.

We are responsible for our own well being and should be prepared with 72 hours kits which includes enough food and water and other supplies so we can be self-sustaining at least for three days after a storm hits. We should take it upon ourselves to do what we can to clean up our yards and neighborhoods instead of waiting for the government to help. Keeping a working chain saw on hand really does the trick. Neighbors should help neighbors and families should help families. This is how it should always be. We shouldn’t have to depend upon anyone else to fill our needs. Especially when there is so many that will need help. We should always try to be self-sufficient.

From past experience, we can see that many people don’t always feel this way. Crowds of people waited outside buildings set up for FEMA to try and get what they could in cash or food stamps, whether they deserved it or not. This of course throws the whole system off and everybody (even those who truly needed help) was scrutinized through the system. You couldn’t trust anyone.

So the best way to avoid that situation is to be prepared. Do everything in your power to store up water, food and other emergency supplies just in case we do get a major storm during this year’s hurricane season. It just makes sense.

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is the author of two books, “Home Is Where The Heart Is, A look at strengthening the American Family,” and her latest book, “Home Is Where The Learning Is” (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1403379637). Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.stengthenyourhome.com.