Preparing for a Hurricane

Well I made it to Florida.. and wouldn't you know.. just in time for a hurricane!! Fun Times!!! Now, keep in mind that I lived down here once before, several years ago for college. There were several times that we had tropical storms headed our way but we never had to evacuate or do anything drastic... Today I read several signs that said "HURCON 4 ALERT". I had no idea what it meant, as is the case with many signs I read around here because I'm staying on a military base right now. My sister in law looked it up when we got home and discovered it was a Hurricane Alert. Here's what it says:
 Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within 72 hours or when the storm enters within an 800 nautical mile radius of Florida. 
We figured this must mean we should "come up with a plan" ... just in case. My brother of course confirmed this when he came home and we discussed that we need to probably pack some bags but get stocked up on groceries as well in case it's not bad enough to evac, but bad enough to stay indoors for a few days!! Sounds like a blast huh?!?
 I got thinking after I read the alert definition and then the other definitions of Alerts as they increase. Each Alert from HURCON 4 up to 1 is a progression and each level states to be sure previous Hurcon precautions have been taken; so in other words if you're on HURCON 2, make sure you've done all of the steps for 4 and 3, then move on to the instructions for 2!! Obviously people have been through these storms and they have made these lists and preparations. They have laid the ground work and "mapped" out readiness for those that follow... and I believe we can do the same in our walk with the Lord. Often times there are trials and "storms" we walk through. Not every one will be the same of course, so please don't misunderstand what I am saying. I do believe, however that there is definitely a certain level of learning that can be done by someone who has gone before us. In the same respect, we need to help others along the way. Again, please don't take what I am saying the wrong way. It is not our responsibility to go to others that we "think" may be encountering something and give them every last bit of advice and information that we possibly can because we think we are helping them. But when we do see people in need, and more importantly when people reach out to us, we should want to help them. We should want to share what worked or didn't work for us. We should offer to pray for them, and comfort them the best we can. Going through storms unaware or unprepared can be potentially dangerous and I believe the same is true for our spiritual journey.
 Thank you to those who have helped me through storms in my life. May the Lord use me and all I have been through to have compassion, discernment, and the ability to serve others in the same manner that others have helped me.