It is officially time for you to dust off your hurricane plans, stock up and be prepared to take care of yourself and possibly others if the need arises.

And if that isn't enough to get you up and moving:

http://www.crownweather.com/tropdisc.html

Look at today's discussion (May 19th) might turn out to be nothing....

Good site, thanks Amanda. A definite "watch".

GFS model still predicting some tropical action off the coast of Belize in about a week.

Just keep a wary eye and please seriously think about formulating your hurricane evacuation plan. Even if you plan to evacuate you should consider storing some basic hurricane supplies during the season. If we are caught off-guard, or the conditions become too dangerous too fast you might not be able to leave the island and will need to hunker down. So the best advice you can ever get is BE PREPARED. If you can take care of yourself then you will not be a burden to others. And if you are prepared you can lend assistance if necessary to others that are less fortunate or able bodied.

This is going to be my first year in a hurricane zone, and even after reading everything I can, I'm still freaking out!

How many people stay on the island?

Hi Scott

Don't freak out - NEMO (the national emergency management organization) is conducting exercises right now in preparation for the season.

If we are threatened then all low lying coastal areas and the cayes are ordered to evacuate. This is a mandatory order. I would highly recommend that you make a plan of evacuation. AND have a plan B back up plan if you can't leave.

The island would have police & BDF soldiers on the island and curfews would be imposed for those that stay. How many? Who knows, I think there were about 2,000 residents that remained when Wilma threatened 2 years ago. I wasn't here for Dean last year.

It seems like every expat I talk to stays? I have an invitation to go with a local family to their house in Belmopan, but I'm positive that that house will be brimming with human beings, and the idea of being trapped there for a week or more could be a nightmare in the making.

I live in a cement building, and have already collected all my supplies. I've just never been through anything like this, and I hear people talking about having hurricane parties? That just seems insane to me?

What else are you going to do while sitting around? Worry? If you decide to stay you have to live with the consequences, may as well make the best of it. Just make sure you're not getting tanked up like some and become a danger to yourself and others if the sh_t hits the fan.

Who am I kidding!? I'm going to run so fast to Belmopan there will be a smoking trail behind me!

So far we have flashlights, dot lights and lasko soy drink powder. A bit behind on stocking up food stuff this year.

Thanks for the reminder Amanda.

Scott last year we stayed for both and it was very good practice. Our friends had been through Wilma so they were coaching us.

No sooner did we get half unpacked from Dean when we had to pack it all up again for Felix.