How to Prep Your Florida Home for Hurricane Season

After a sleepy start, hurricane season just woke up. Tropical Storm Erin formed August 11, and another system called Invest 96L is lurking in the Atlantic. Jacksonville isn't in immediate danger, but rough surf and deadly rip currents are coming by Sunday.

With hurricane season running through November 30, now's the time to get your act together. Here's what to do before Erin—or any storm—decides to visit.

Make Your Plan Before Everyone Panics

First things first, sit down with everyone in your house and hash out the basics. Ask important questions like: how will you contact each other when cell towers fail? Where will you meet? Who's grabbing the cat?

Know your evacuation zone. Check it now at your county's emergency management site. Talk to your neighbors—they might have a generator you can share, or you might have the only working grill post-storm.