Last week marked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s official start of hurricane season. Accordingly, now is the right time to evaluate our preparedness for disaster. Many of us still have the destructive images of last year’s Hurricane Isabel fresh in our minds, yet the emergency plans that many of us made as families may have faded. 

While we know that hindsight is 20/20, the wisdom of our hindsight is often replaced with the demands of everyday life. This week, as I traveled to Washington, I realized that it has been too long since my family and I last took an opportunity to sit down and talk about our disaster plan. This September, my youngest child will be heading to college. With two children away at college next year, what would happen if there was a natural disaster or a terrorist attack while they were at school? Would they know who to call or where to go? As we saw after the September 11 attacks, phone lines can be jammed for days following a major emergency. How will our family communicate during a crisis?

Hurricane Isabel taught each of us the importance of being well-equipped for disaster, both in planning and in resources. While we know this lesson well, we must be sure to regularly update and revise our strategy for the unexpected. It is always less costly, emotionally and financially, to plan for a disaster than to learn from one. 

Our military, law enforcement, and local governments have done outstanding work protecting our communities to stop terrorist attacks before they happen. Nevertheless, as families and as communities, we need to remain vigilant about all potential threats so we are better prepared to react. Whether you live near the naval installations of Hampton Roads, outside the capitol of Virginia, or close to Fort Lee, the possibility of an attack in or near Virginia’s Fourth District is real. While there is no way to predict what may happen, or what our personal circumstances might be, there are simple things we can do now to prepare ourselves and our loved ones. 

As neighbors, we should work together to prepare for emergencies. It is important to talk to our neighbors about how we can support one another during an emergency. Find out if anyone has specialized equipment like a power generator, or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis. Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors and make back-up plans for children in case you can't get home in an emergency. 

There are many resources available for families and neighborhoods to prepare for the unexpected. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has created a Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/hazards/hurricanes to educate and equip citizens for hurricane season. The website includes advice for protecting your loved ones, as well as your property and pets, and a survival guide if you are caught in a storm.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has created a website of resources at www.ready.gov. The website includes resources to help you prepare for natural or man-made emergencies such as a downloadable family communication worksheet, supply checklists, special needs items, and information sheets on what you can do to respond to specific terrorist threats. 

This hurricane season, we hope and pray that our families and communities will not only be safe from the destructive forces of nature, but also from the violence of terrorism. Yet, we remember that the best and the easiest time to be prepared is before disaster strikes, rather than after. 

:: The ABC's of Homeownership ::

Why is it that owning a home is called “the American Dream?” Of all the things that make this country a place where dreams can become reality, why is it that homeownership tops our wish list? Perhaps it’s because owning a home has historically been the best opportunity most families have to create financial security and neighborhood stability. 

There are plenty of people who work hard, living paycheck-to-paycheck and earning just enough to make ends meet and perhaps a little more for an occasional vacation. Can families who have always rented ever hope for their share of this dream? Absolutely.

June is National Homeownership Month, a time for folks dreaming about owning a home to take some concrete steps toward making this dream come true. So, for those hoping to say goodbye to a landlord, here are some brief ABCs of buying your first home from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

First, check your credit. The moment you apply for a home loan, your credit history becomes an open book. It’s a good idea to examine your own credit score before your banker or broker does. If there is a mistake or a blemish on your record, you have a chance to repair it so that when the time does come for you to seek financing, you’ll be on firm financial footing. The three major credit-reporting agencies are: Equifax, www.equifax.com, 888-202-4025; Experian, www.experian.com, 888-397-3742; and, TransUnion, www.transunion.com, 800-916-8800. Start by calling them, getting a copy of your credit report and examining it closely.

Second, start collecting all the documents your lender or mortgage broker will ask you to provide them. Wage statements, tax returns, employment history, and a summary of your monthly expenses are a good start. 

Third, determine how much home you can afford given your income and other monthly expenses. Provided your credit is in good shape, the general rule of thumb is you can afford a home that costs about two-and-a-half times your annual income. If your family income is $50,000, you could look at homes selling for $125,000.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions of the pros. Buying your first home is an exciting thing but the prospect of taking on the biggest debt of your lifetime can intimidate the best of us. Consult the experts. HUD has a list of approved housing counselors who can walk you through this process step-by-step. You can find a counselor near you by visiting www.hud.gov.