With one of the most annually dreaded seasons a few days away, it’s important to remember to plan accordingly and plan ahead.

When Mother Nature comes knocking on your door, will you be ready?

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has put together a great program: “Get a Game Plan.”

The goal is simple, to ensure the proper planning for Louisiana residents by protecting property, reducing the impact of future disasters and potentially saving lives.

Get a Game Plan breaks it down into three components:

• Put together an emergency kit

• Make preparations

• Stay informed

The St. John the Baptist Parish Council voted for the parish to once again participate in Louisiana’s annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

This will begin Saturday/May 30 at 12:01 a.m. and conclude at 11:50 p.m. on Sunday/May 31.

The sales tax exemption will exempt the 5 percent local sales tax and the 4 percent state sales tax on the first $1,500 of the sales price of qualifying items.

Visit sjbparish.com for more information and a list of the qualifying items to build your emergency kit.

Many of our local businesses can provide you with your needed items. Don’t forget to Shop Local, Shop St. John.

Making preparations during an emergency can be a difficult last minute challenge, so plan early and plan ahead.

Be sure to identify your possible evacuation locations ahead of time and have multiple options. Be familiar with evacuation routes as you may be detouring away from routes you are familiar with.

If an evacuation hasn’t been called, this doesn’t mean your property is not at risk. Be sure to put away all loose items that are outside and protect all valuables in your home, including important documents.

It’s even suggested to move objects to higher levels, away from windows, and cover them for protection.

Most importantly, we need to stay informed. Visit our parish website to sign up for email alerts and receive emergency messages.

Tune in to WWL 870 AM Radio, Channel 15 Government Access Channel, and all other media outlets. For a complete guide to Hurricane Preparedness visit getagameplan.org and sjbparish.com for local information. Stay safe this hurricane season and don’t forget: Get a Plan.

Michael P. Wright is St. John Council chairman and District 5 representative. Contact him at District5@sjbparish.com.