HOUSTON -- Houstonians must be prepared for the worst this hurricane season and plan for two scenarios, Harris County officials said Monday, the first day of hurricane season.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said lessons were learned after Hurricane Ike slammed onto Galveston Island in September, devastating southeast Texas.

The monster storm forced officials to modify the county's hurricane plan.

"Make sure your house and your property are secure and then feel free to leave. So, I guess what we're saying this year is maybe have two separate evacuation plans -- one, if you think you might have to leave prior to landfall, and go ahead and create a second plan in case you lose power and decide to leave because of that. Those are two different circumstances," Emmett said.

County officials also said residents should pack an emergency kit filled with supplies to last at least 72 hours.

Special needs residents should register with the city and county as soon as possible by calling 211.

"Just the fact that we weathered the storm as well as we did last year does not mean that anybody should let their guard down," Emmett said.

The Greater Houston chapter of the American Red Cross also had suggestions for hurricane season.

"Now is the time to make an emergency plan. Discuss in advance where you would evacuate to if you need to. Create an emergency contact list so you can reconnect with family members after a disaster," said Steve Casiani with the Red Cross.

Harris County said if needed, it would also take over some duties that were the responsibility of FEMA during Hurricane Ike, such as the points of distribution or PODs. FEMA would provide the supplies and the county would determine the POD locations.

"We know our city and our county and the community's needs, and we know how to get the supplies to our people, so we will be more effective and FEMA will only be in charge of providing the supplies," Emmett said.