With Hurricane Preparedness Week under way, the National Hurricane Center is giving some common sense advice today: help your neighbors. Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are also many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane approaches.

Many, especially senior citizens, rely on the assistance of neighbors before and after hurricanes. Well before there’s any threat from a tropical storm or hurricane, help neighbors collect supplies they’ll need on-hand before a storm arrives. With the COVID-19 Pandemic underway, it may make sense to divide and conquer: perhaps one neighbor can help stock-up on bottled water and non-perishable food while another helps stock-up on paper products like toilet paper or paper towels. By working together, you can save time and reduce stress,

The National Hurricane Center encourages people to start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies but remember you may need to adjust your preparedness plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials due to the pandemic.