As Texans, we are blessed with a beautiful shoreline that allows citizens to enjoy many opportunities for sightseeing and recreation. And our coasts, with their many ports for fishing and shipping, provide economic stimulation to the state. While we appreciate the many benefits our coast offers, we must also prepare to face any potential dangers that come along with it.

Hurricane season began June 1 and continues through the month of November.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Rita showed what happens when we are not prepared to handle a natural disaster as dangerous as a hurricane. Our highways became parking lots. Motorists ran out of fuel and food and weren't provided with adequate shelter. This led to loss of life that could have easily been avoided.

Since the tragedy of Rita, we have worked hard to maintain a dialog with leaders at all levels and we know the key component to hurricane preparedness and hurricane evacuation is found at the local level. Federal, state and local authorities are now in better communication in the event of a natural disaster and can respond much more quickly. Also, private companies and non-profit agencies are much more involved in ensuring evacuees are given the supplies they need to keep them as safe and comfortable as possible.

To prepare yourself and your loved ones for a safe hurricane season, I encourage you to visit www.TexasPrepares.org [1]. Use the website to make a safety plan, create a checklist of crucial disaster preparedness items and learn about disasters.

Please also take time to make sure your insurance policies are current. If you have any questions about insurance, call the Texas Department of Insurance's Consumer Help Line toll-free at 1-800-252-3439 or visit their website at www.tdi.state.tx.us [2].

By taking the time to prepare for hurricanes, coastal Texans can help mitigate the disaster a storm may cause.

Mike Jackson serves as Chairman of the Senate Nominations Committee and is a member of the Senate State Affairs, Government Organization and Natural Resources Committees and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources. He represents Texans in portions of Harris, Galveston and Brazoria Counties.