Be preemptive in your preparations. Consider evacuating if this is at all possible for you. If it is not, here is a list of things you can do to help prepare yourself for the storm (from a Cajun who now lives in the Houston area): 

Go to the store ASAP and stock up on: 

• Cases of water. 
• Non-perishable food items that do not have to be refrigerated or heated. Spam, peanut butter, dried fruits, granola, crackers, canned fruits and vegetables, etc. 
• Sturdy flashlights.
• PLENTY of batteries. 
• Candles.

Things that are a good idea to do or have if you have the means:

• A battery powered, portable radio for news and weather updates if you lose power and internet. 
• If you own a home, boarding up your windows. 
• Portable chargers for phone/laptop FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES ONLY, keep these on reserve in case you need to be rescued.
• Filling up a bathtub with water in case the water shuts off, you still have a means of washing/brushing teeth/water source.
• Battery powered fans in case of power outage. 

Please, go to the store and gather supplies EARLY, stores will sell out days before the storm makes landfall, so go NOW and get what you think you will need. Keep receipts. If you don’t need them, you can return them. Please do not underestimate a hurricane! They are notoriously difficult to predict, and you don’t want to wind up in a situation where you thought the storm wouldn’t affect your area very much and you didn’t prepare properly if you get hit hard. Prepare for the worst. If you do not need what you gathered, you can bring it back. Be aware of emergency numbers, keep them close by.  And don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need support or advice, I am from south Louisiana and I know how much they suck. 

Stay safe, my friends.