While the rest of the nation is caught up in the political swirl surrounding the selection of Sarah Palin as a nominee for vice president, we along the Texas Gulf Coast have our eyes fixed on the approach of a potentially menacing Hurricane Ike.

The multimillion-dollar question is where and when this intensifying storm is going to make landfall. If that were easy to deduce, we all would be making a divine living as fortune tellers.

However, most of the current hurricane tracking maps indicate Ike will storm ashore Friday night or Saturday morning somewhere near Corpus Christi to Matagorda Bay.

As we all know, that means Bee County will bear the brunt of powerful winds and torrential rain — not as devastating as on the coast, but we are not that far inland as the pelican flies.

Even a minor Category 1 or 2 storm like Claudette several years ago caused severe damage from downed trees, limbs and debris, along with some flooding and power outages. We well remember being without electricity at our home for days, and publishing this newspaper from the presses of neighboring community papers.

Heck, some folks in Louisiana in the Baton Rouge area are still without power from Gustav more than a week ago.

That means we have 48 hours or so to prepare for Ike’s arrival. Now is the time to double-check your supplies and review your evacuation plans. Although Bee County officials have not ordered a mandatory evacuation, a voluntary evacuation has been recommended.

If you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area, move to higher ground. If you live in a trailer or mobile home, move in with relatives or to a more stable place.

If you have elderly or disabled relatives or neighbors, call David Morgan (362-3271), the emergency management coordinator for Beeville and Bee County, and he and his staff will notify emergency officials so they can be monitored or possibly moved to safer locations.

Monitor broadcasts and listen to instructions from local officials. Having emergency supplies in easy-to-carry containers will serve you well. Use this checklist provided by state officials:

• First-aid kit

• Extra prescription medications, written copies of prescriptions, other special medical items

• Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information you may need to process insurance claims

• Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable)

• Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Phone numbers of family and friends

• Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations, list of places between your town and your destination you can stop if the highways are clogged

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day,

• Coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic utensils

• Manual can opener, knife, tools, booster cables, fire extinguisher, duct tape, tarp, rope

• Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra clothing

• Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products

• Eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids

• Special supplies needed for babies, older adults and pets

• Extra keys.

Other disaster preparedness information can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.redcross.org.

We all should know the drill by now. It’s part and parcel of living along the Gulf Coast. Rarely have we had to take such precautions in recent years, but now is not the time to become complacent.

Ike could become a deadly intruder. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.