Are we ready for a hurricane strike?

It's officially hurricane season. Are we prepared?

Have we become complacent? It has been 10 years since Florida took a direct hit from a serious storm.

So we asked members of our Email Interactive Group for their thoughts.REMEMBER COMPUTER, ART

There are two items that are never mentioned in hurricane preparation plans.

1. Make sure that your computer files are backed up to an external device. Make sure that you store that data in an extremely safe place.

2. Since most people have smart phones, take time to take pictures of all the items hanging on your walls. It would be very difficult to explain to an adjuster the value of your most prized painting.

Albert Rabassa, JacksonvilleGEORGIA'S PREPARATIONS

Evacuating early saves a lot of hassle.

Before leaving, we will turn off the electricity and water.

We'll take clothes, medications, toiletries, personal papers, cash, books, puzzles, snack food and water - and blankets in case we can't find a motel room.

Georgia will be well prepared. At the local level, Glynn County will provide transportation from any of six sites in the county to Red Cross shelters.

To sign up, go to: tinyurl.com/osuhhxa.

Fill out the form. By clicking on the word "map," you can see where the various pickup sites are located.

They do require you to find transportation from your home to the pickup site.

Jekyll Island folks will be working on determining who will need transportation to the pickup sites.

Howard Sculthorpe, Jekyll IslandTHINKING OF TRAFFIC JAMS

We have an emergency preparedness kit for us and my daughters. Our important papers are in movable containers, and our cars are full of gas. The problem I foresee is every time they want you to evacuate there are long lines of cars leaving for higher ground. Last time on State Road 13, I could have sold bottles of water to the people stuck in traffic.

Dee Lucas, St. AugustineLITTLE THINGS CAN BE IMPORTANT

After the last big storm, I was very popular because I had a manual can opener. All of my neighbors' can openers were electric.

Sandra Lee, JacksonvilleBE A GOOD CITIZEN

Most of all, make sure your extended family and neighbors are OK. Check on them.

Johnny Cowart, JacksonvillePREPARED TO HIGHTAIL IT

I love my house. I love my neighborhood. But if a catastrophic storm is about to hit, my family and I will watch the weather reports safe in Atlanta along with all our pertinent documents locked in a steel container. I can rebuild my house, but we cannot rebuild lives lost riding out a hurricane.

John Derin, Orange ParkWORRIED ABOUT TREES

I have asked the city to look at a huge tree that was marked for removal more than 10 years ago! Arborists keep warning me that it's not likely to withstand a bad storm.

It would probably make two houses uninhabitable and close Riverside Avenue, not to mention the massive emergency cleanup and other damage it would cause.

But I digress.

I was here for Hurricane Dora in 1964 with windows taped up and all the "get ready" list ticked off.

But nothing that happened in our Holiday Hill neighborhood could have been prevented.

There was a cute story in the Reader's Digest years ago about a man in Michigan who was working on a long list of things to do to get ready for winter.

He stopped to rest, looked at the list, then added, "or get the hell out of Michigan."

Joyce Bates, JacksonvilleADVICE FROM AN INSURANCE VET

As an insurance veteran of 33 catastrophes, I'm concerned we (especially here in Jacksonville) have a rather laid-back approach when it comes to hurricane preparation.

While the state has not had a direct hit in 10 years, Jacksonville has not had a direct hit in decades. There are three parts to any hurricane preparation we should all prepare for:

1. Respect the storm surge since it is the greatest threat to human life regardless of wind speed!

2. As Louisianans would testify, it's always best to have an evacuation plan.

3. After the storm, cash is king! ATMs may not work and may not be accessible. A full tank of gas is a must.

Finally, have a home inventory and the contact information of both your homeowner and flood policies.

Gregg Golson JacksonvilleCHOOSE PREPARATION OVER LUCK

Hurricane preparedness is about the same as camping in a tent for a week. If you know how to do this, you are prepared. If not, good luck with your God or government.

Dean Bird, JacksonvilleLOCAL OFFICIALS ARE PREPARING

It's been a few years since we've experienced a real threat, but as far as emergency services go, we are so much more prepared now.

From each storm that made a near hit, we learned our weaknesses and adjusted. Emergency services from our city have answered the call for help from other areas across the Southeast. We learned from each experience.

Tara Wildes, JacksonvilleTHINK OF FIRST RESPONDERS

We left town during a previous hurricane and were caught in the disastrous traffic jam. Hopefully we'll head out sooner next time.

Anyone who chooses to stay around shouldn't put our fine emergency response teams in harm's way due to their stubbornness or stupidity.

Bill Gowen, Jacksonville