We all had a check off list that we followed in preparation for the hurricanes.  When we would get the first Hurricane Advisory we would make sure that we had plenty of food,  water, batteries, and white gas for our camp stoves.  Usually that was all it took to cause the storm to change course.  If it  did not then we started to prepare in earnest.  Bushes were trimmed so that shutters could be put over the windows and towels were collected to soak up the water than would blow in.  Cars and boats were moved to safe places and then we would wait.