As a native of FL in the gulf coast area, the best advise is to be OVER prepared! As the old saying goes, better to be safe than sorry. Having gone thru many hurricanes, I think the one thing that no one is really prepared for is the lost of power for long period of time. No power effects everything and we are so used to having conveniences of life we forget how to survive without those things. No power means, no gas pumps so fill your car, no atm's to get cash or to run charges on debit cards. Freeze milk jugs of water now to help keep food in fridge/freezers/coolers cold, then you can drink water as it melts. Solid ice melts slower than ice cubes. Don't forget your pets! They feel pressure changes before people do and they don't understand what's happening. Take advice to leave low lying areas if you live in places that can flood or area where bridges are closed for safety sakes. To many people wait out the storm and then call for rescues because they thought they would be"fine". That only puts others at risk trying to save your life. OR you may be stranded from mainland for some time. My prayers go out to all in the path of this storm. Hopefully it wil change course and not be as severe as expected. But whatever happens, be safe!