States Warn Residents: You Are On Your Own.

States in the hurricane-prone region are telling citizens that if another disaster happens, people are on their own.

What exactly do we pay taxes for again?

Convinced that tough tactics are needed, officials in hurricane-prone states are trumpeting dire warnings about the storm season that starts on Thursday, preaching self-reliance and prodding the public to prepare early and well.

Cities are circulating storm-preparation checklists, counties are holding hurricane expositions at shopping malls and states are dangling carrots like free home inspections and tax-free storm supplies in hopes of conquering complacency.

But the main strategy, it seems, is to scare the multitudes of people who emergency officials say remain blase even after last year's record-breaking storm season.

To persuade residents to heed evacuation orders, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is broadcasting public service announcements with recordings of 911 calls placed during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

"The roof has completely caved in on us," a woman cries as chilling music swells, only to be told that rescuers cannot come out during the storm.

Tags: [States Warn Residents: You Are on Your Own], [As Hurricane Season Looms, States Aim to Scare], [preaching self-reliance and prodding the public to prepare early and well]