Hurricane Packing: Jim Cantore, Weather Channel Storm Chaser Gets Prepared (VIDEO)

Hurricane Irene prompted officials to consider evacuating regions along the East Coast on Wednesday as the storm made its way over the Bahamas, where it strengthened into a Category 3 storm. As media continue to scramble for the latest updates on Irene's path, weather experts will be heading out to cover the hurricane.

Storm chasers don't take their jobs lightly, but they do need to pack light, while still ensuring they have all the essentials for covering hurricanes, tornadoes and other forms of severe weather.

The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore is no different, and in a segment on Wednesday morning, the longtime storm chaser showed viewers how he packs his bag -- or bags, depending on the length of the trip -- before heading out to cover a hurricane.

The most important item? Shoes. It's essential to keep your feet warm, Cantore says.

Cantore even gets emotional when he shows a pair of sandals he wore while covering Katrina. "I wore these in Katrina, and I usually wear them once, at least, on every storm," he says.

Other must-haves include a wetsuit, goggles, a computer and chargers. Bringing a bathing suit doesn't hurt either. Getting in the water might be a stormchaser's only shot at a bath, he adds.

With all his essentials ready to go, Cantore admits it's almost a safe bet he'll end up forgetting something.

To learn how you can prepare for an earthquake, check out these safety tips.

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