Now is the time to start preparing Published May 27, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich 15th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Now is the time to think about the safety of your family and remember the importance of natural disaster preparedness. Hawaii's hurricane season begins June 1 and will continue through Nov. 30. May 24-30 is Hurricane Preparedness Week, making this the perfect time to think about what steps you need to take before a storm. Being prepared means understanding the potential threats to you and your family's safety and making plans in advance. It is important that your family knows what to do in the event of a natural disaster. According to the website ready.gov, making and reviewing your family emergencies plan can be key to keeping everyone together. Your family should set at least two meeting locations in the event your family is separated. Develop your family communications plan to include someone out-of-state to be your "family contact," since after a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and report in. This will allow you to stay in touch even when you can't talk directly. Having a fully stocked disaster supply kit is a simple way to ensure you will be prepared. According to Staff Sgt. Travis McManus, from the 15th Wing Ground Safety Office, you should have food and water to last each family member seven days. "We live in a geographically isolated location that receives 95 percent of its food supply from the main land," said McManus. "The island of Oahu typically only has about three days of food supply on island to restock food in grocery stores, so it is important that each family has a fully stocked disaster kit." Ready.gov recommends that a disaster supply kit have, at a minimum, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation. Additionally you should have non-perishable foods that doesn't require reheating, refrigeration or water to prepare. It is also recommended that you have cash, battery operated radio, flash lights, candles and don't forget the can opener. Knowing the dangers of a hurricane is critical to preparation. According to McManus, a hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by high winds, heavy rains, flash flooding, high waves, and storm surge. The Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale measures hurricane's strength, severity and classifies hurricanes into five categories based on their sustained wind speed at the indicated time. Category 1 hurricane, winds from 74 to 95 mph with a four to five foot storm surge. Category 2 hurricane, winds from 96 to 110 mph with a six to eight foot storm surge. Category 3 hurricane, winds from 111 to 130 mph with a nine to twelve foot storm surge. Category 4 hurricane, winds from 131 to 155 mph with a thirteen to eighteen foot storm surge. Category 5 hurricane, winds greater than 155 mph with a storm surge greater than eighteen feet. A hurricane's storm surge can be just as dangerous as the high winds. According to ready.gov, a storm surge is water that pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the normal water level affecting roads, homes and other critical infrastructure. If a hurricane threatens the island of Oahu it is important to stay informed by watching local news, listening to local radio and you can get updates about the storm preparations through the 15th Wing Facebook. For more information on preparing you home and your family for a hurricane you can visit: www.15wing.af.mil, www.ready.gov or www.redcross.org/hi/honolulu