If you live in an area that is vulnerable to hurricanes, now is the time to get ready for what could be a whopper of a hurricane season, the Insurance Information Institute warns.

The 2010 hurricane season, which started on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, is expected to be an "active to extremely active" one, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, has projected a 70 percent probability of 14 to 23 named storms this year, with eight to 14 of them becoming hurricanes with top winds of 74 miles per hour or higher.

The Insurance Information Institute urges home owners to:

· Get sufficient flood and wind insurance.
· Consider private flood insurance if they need coverage over and above the $250,000 for property and $100,000 on contents that the National Flood Insurance Program provides.
· Create a home inventory.
· Install storm shutters, storm-proof garage doors, and plan to cover windows with plywood if a storm nears.
· Prepare an evacuation plan and a home emergency kit, including emergency food, water, and medical supplies.

Source: Insurance Information Institution (06/04/2010)