It’s not a hurricane yet, but weather forecasters have predicted Harvey, which is currently building strength in the Gulf of Mexico, could very well make the transition from a tropical depression to a hurricane before making landfall Friday.

Current estimates state the storm will make landfall along the coasts of Texas and possibly Louisiana. That bodes well for us here in Mississippi, provided the computer models are correct.

But, as residents of the Gulf Coast, we know that those models can, at times, be a bit off.

So, while there is a small chance the storm could turn and head our way, we should prepare for the worst-case scenario.

That’s not to say we need to run right out and buy every bottle of water on the shelves, but we should have been preparing for hurricane season already.

If you have been putting off buying some extra supplies, such as water and

non-perishable food, now is a good time to add a few more items to your cart next time you make a trip to the grocery store. Even if Harvey doesn’t come our way, by purchasing these items now, you and your family will be prepared for future storms.

Also, by picking up small amounts of items over time, we avoid the big expense of trying to stock up all at once. Worst of all, that mad dash for supplies typically occurs once we’ve already been warned a storm will hit the Mississippi coast in a day or two.

The worst part of that last minute shopping spree is not the crowds, but the empty shelves. Things like a camp stove, chain saw and generator are best acquired when we are not in danger. Not only does it ensure you will find the product you need, but you will have a bigger selection to choose from.