Although Gustav battered New Orleans last Monday, the hurricane the city’s mayor feared could be the “storm of the century” didn’t manage to break her.

Gustav’s squalls caused some noise but then slid off east with much less fuss than was feared.

But, like an eccentric party guest who blurts out an inappropriate comment as soon as there’s a lull in the conversation, Gustav’s presence had been impeccably timed to attract attention.

While many in America were poised to spend a Labor Day holiday kicking back and taking a break from exertion, news and weather channels played, and replayed, shots of the furious winds and raging waves that were threatening the Deep South.

I have to confess, as one who was born in the Big Easy, a city that, according to local lore, “care forgot,” I didn’t venture far from the TV screen.

My family’s history has been touched by the destructive force of hurricanes. My mother held me on her lap at her parents’ house in the West Bank when Camille roared across the Gulf Coast. Twenty-four years later, as Andrew threatened to vigorously pummel the state, I grabbed my own baby and evacuated to Alabama. Three years ago I played host to my uncle, after he fled Katrina’s rage.

So following Gustav’s progress was, for me, inevitable.

Instead of grilling hamburgers or tossing a football, almost two million New Orleans natives were leaving their homes in search of a safe, dry place to spend the night. In the meantime, rescue workers were moving in, ready to help anyone who might be trapped in their homes or stranded in cars.

Although Gustav didn’t end up hitting Louisiana with the vengeful fist waved by Katrina, the state’s more bracing attempts at defense were encouraging.

Mayor Ray Nagin said the differences between the response to this storm, and the one suffered in his city three years ago, included having resources coordinated, from federal to state to local governments. And, he added, having citizens respond to these efforts was critical.

These lessons may have to be proven again in other states soon, since two more storms, Hannah and Ike, are heading to American shores, with landfall expected by the end of the week.

And the only thing clear during a hurricane is that being prepared is crucial.

September is National Preparedness Month, and all citizens are being asked to find out what they need to do to get ready for the unexpected.

“All Virginians are encouraged to… get prepared for disasters and emergencies during September,” said Michael Cline, Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s state coordinator.  “What we do ahead of time really matters. ”

Here in Goochland, on Sept. 17, there will be a panel discussion entitled “Can Goochland Survive a Disaster?”

County leaders such as Sheriff James L. Agnew, Fire and Rescue Chief Ken Brown and Paul Hundley, Emergency Services Manager of the American Red Cross of Greater Richmond, will talk candidly about how we can stay safe.

Whether our community is threatened by hurricanes, floods or tornados, are we ready?

Because, as one commentator noted Monday, following Gustav’s landing, “It’s a big open ocean out there, and we never know exactly how the winds are going to blow.”