Hurricane season began June 1 and anyone who was in the area when Hurricane Ivan came ashore in 2004 knows it’s best to be prepared.

New guidelines are being given this year by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help residents get ready should a storm pass through Dallas County.

If you’re new to the area, or think we’re far enough away from the coast to have any issues, think again.

Some Dallas County residents lost power for almost a week. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, residents know to plan ahead. But will we?

The new guidelines include:

Developing a family plan. Let relatives know where you’ll be if you evacuate and have a written plan that you can share with friends and family.

Create a disaster supply kit. This includes having enough water (at least one gallon per person) for three to seven days.

You should also have enough food for three to seven days, and it should be non-perishable packaged or canned food. (Make sure you have a non-electric can opener as well.)

Also, fill all prescription medicine and have a first aid kit.

Other items to pack include a flashlight, radio and plenty of batteries.

And make sure you have plenty of cash and fill your car with gas.

Secure your home.

Forecasters are predicting a busy tropical storm season. Let’s hope they are wrong, but prepare in case they’re right.