I was in Hugo in 1989 where I had no power for over a week (and was lucky). I totally agree. Residents in the Southeast should start preparing today while supplies are still in the stores. Board up your windows. Bring in outside lawn furniture and decorations so they don't become missiles. Go visit relatives or friends. If you can't leave (and you really should..) have water and shelf-stable food for a week (NOT bread, milk and steaks). Get your prescriptions refilled. Scan your insurance policy if you don't already have a PDF. Make a video with timestamp of your house and all your possessions.

The suggestions at https://www.ready.gov should be considered a starting point, as they assume that relief will arrive sooner than recent storms have proven.

EDIT: Get your off-site backup started so you'll have time to Fed-Ex it out of town. If you have a business, make sure your employees will be fine, then start your continuity plans. Which should include some cash to pay bills in case the power goes out (no ATMs, no card machines).