If your riding out the storm, at Hurcon 2 put a hatchet or small ax in the attic so you can break out to your roof if need be. The attic is a very bad place to be trapped.

In the days following the storm, be leery of all strangers in the area. Really dangerous criminals and lawless looters come out of the woodwork when they perceive everyone is gone or the police are otherwise occupied. In this regard, rifles and handguns are not in the same league as a shotgun.

Due to the tidal surge, you can easily be overwhelmed with snakes both during and after a storm. Be particularly careful to look before you pick up or touch anything outside, I mean anything. The snakes will be as desperate and afraid as you are.

If you own a chainsaw(s), large or small, be sure to have the chain sharpened -- and test the saw several days before landfall to make sure it starts right up. Chainsaws can be the most useful tool of all during or after a storm, but only if you are expert in operating it safely.

Sufficient batteries are not enough.