JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – As Hurricane Irma tracks toward Florida, the American Red Cross is urging people to get a plan together now.
In Jacksonville Beach, many residents are taking the storm seriously. After Hurricane Matthew last year and seeing Harvey's destruction in Texas and Louisiana, people aren't taking any chances.
If you don’t have an emergency kit in place, the Red Cross said now is the time to get it together.
VIEW: Red Cross hurricane safety checklist
To get ready, the Red Cross advises people to take three steps: Build a disaster kit, review or create your family emergency plan and be informed about how local authorities will notify the public during a disaster.
Should an evacuation order come, the Red Cross wants to make sure everyone is prepared. You’re going to want:
- Non-perishable food and water
- Copies of important documents and IDs
- One-month’s worth of your prescription medications
- First-aid kits
- Batteries
- Any chargers, such as electronic cords, you might need
Christian Smith, with the American Red Cross, said Monday it's imperative to protect important personal papers and have them available at all times.
"That becomes pretty critical because once you left your home, then it may be several days before that you can go back home," Smith said.
If you plan on evacuating, make sure you know your zone and have plans on where you can stay -- whether it’s a shelter or with friends or family. You should also fill your car's gas tank in case an evacuation notice is issued.
RESOURCES: Know your flood/evacuation zone | Documents you need
Many in Jacksonville Beach said Monday they're preparing for the worst.
"We're remembering what we did last year when Matthew came through," said Dan Button, who lives in Jacksonville Beach. "We've got an escape plan and an evacuation process set up. We have a friend in Macclenny ... we'll go there if there is an evacuation order. We've got our safety kit set up and everything else is already in place."
After dealing with Hurricane Matthew last year, Button said, he's keeping a close eye on Irma.
"We've got water and food and extra money and our medicines and those kinds of things -- all the critical pieces," he said. "If it starts to show that it's going to land in this area, we will take precautions to get out of here. We've been through the storms. We see what kind of damage can be there. And we figured it's not worth your life, we will get out."
Staff at the Beach House assisted living facility said they learned a valuable lesson during Matthew, so they started preparing months ago for this hurricane season, stocking up on supplies -- from food to flashlights.
"All of that gathering process was done throughout the year because we all know, once it gets really close, that's when supplies become limited or harder to find," said Amber Luke, with Beach House. "So doing that preparation at the end of last hurricane season really prepares us."
The Red Cross reminded everyone that there is still time to get a plan in place. First, you need to decide whether you will shelter in place or evacuate. If you stay, make sure you have a "safe room" in your home -- a room without windows and enough space to hold your family and all of your supplies