The latest weather updates for the upcoming hurricane season are a bit frightening. The bottom line is GET READY PEOPLE!

Check out some of these recent stories:

* Hurricanes May Drive Up Gas Prices
* Tips For Preparation
* New Orleans Top Target For 2006 Hurricane Season
* Hurricane Season Is Bearing Down

What should you do?

First, have a plan of action. Hurricanes do not tell you what they will be when they hit, so you have to hope for the best and plan for the worst. When evacuations begin, you need to decide how much a storm could, worst case, strengthen before it hits land, then make your decisions as if you expect this.

Make sure and stock up on plenty of food, water, batteries, propane, and other items to help you through an extended period without power, fresh water, or food, other than what you stock in advance.

Also, it is a good idea to get a power generator. Check out GeneratorShop.com for a diverse selection and links to reviews and commentary. The dinky generators will charge your cell phone and/or computer, and not much more, which is not what most people are looking for. Mid range generators will generally handle and AC and a refrigerator, which is usually sufficient for people. These tend to cost a couple of thousand dollars, and up, depending on features, power, etc. If you want full power, as if you still had power being fed to you by the local electric company, you'll need a big boy. Expect to spend close to or in excess of $10,000 for that level of power generation. You'll be the cat's meow, however, when YOU are the local power company. Also make sure to speak to your electrician about proper switching to your generator. He or she may want to install a device to do this, which should not be a major process.