The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1. Forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting a repeat of last year's season, with anywhere from nine to 15 named storms and between two and four that will be Category 3 or higher.

Last year, Hurricane Michael alone resulted in 39 deaths, the loss of power for 2.5 million people and $16 billion in damage when it hit Florida and Georgia in October 2018.

So it's time to get serious about being prepared. Could you and your family cope without power for an evening? What about for several days? Here's our list of 12 must-have items to keep in your home, an emergency kit for you and your family should a disaster such as a hurricane strike.

Flashlight

One of the most useful flashlights for home emergency kits, the ($79.96) is a large flashlight with both a spotlight and a floodlight. A built-in hook lets you hang it up to illuminate a large