State officials are urging people in Virginia to prepare for hurricane season.

They said coastal storms start to become more active in mid-August and early September, and on into November.

Virginia Homeland Security Secretary Terrie Suit said hurricane season started along the Atlantic Coast in June, but for the state, our higher impact is right now.

Suit said people should make sure to have three days of water and food on hand, along with flashlights and batteries.

She also suggested getting a battery power pack for your cell phone.

Suit said if you are unable to get through while calling someone in your own area code, you may have better luck with a different one.

She said to have a friend or family member with a phone number in a different area code as a check-in point.

"The big issue in the Valley we're looking at is trees down, heavy rain, tornado warnings and tornadoes being spun off. Pay attention," said Suit.

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