Peak hurricane season is here on the Texas Gulf Coast. So far, things have stayed pretty quiet. But now is the time to pay attention.

History tells us why. The most destructive hurricanes have mostly hit in August, September, and October. That is when the Gulf waters are warmest, and warm water fuels big storms. So even a calm start does not mean we can relax.

That brings us to the big question. Are you prepared? A little planning now can save you a lot of stress later.

Here are a few things to think about:

• Important papers and medications. Do you have one safe place for these? Keep records and meds ready for yourself, your pets, and your livestock.
• An evacuation plan. If you have livestock and need to leave, do you have somewhere to take them? Line up a spot before you need it.
• Your trailer. If you have one, check those tires. Good tires make a big difference when time is short.
• Extra feed. It never hurts to keep a few weeks of extra hay on hand. Grab an extra bag of pet feed too, just in case.

Take care of these now, while the weather is calm and the pressure is off.

And remember, you can count on us. In the event of a hurricane, Arcola Feed will be open if we can be. If we can get here, we WILL be here.