Jake Owen Offers Tips to Those Preparing for Hurricane Irene

Jake Owen grew up dodging hurricanes in Vero Beach, Fla., so he understands what families along the east coast are going through as they prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irene this weekend. The 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' singer says storm watching was just part of life growing up, but now that he's living in Nashville he only thinks about hurricanes when his mother calls to tell him one is coming.

"Growing up in Florida, you seemed to watch the Weather Channel all the time," he tells WSOC radio in Charlotte, N.C. "If a hurricane starts coming, you got to start packing not only your clothes and everything to head out and get some refuge, but you gotta board up the windows on your house."

"It's just a big pain, so hurricanes are just not fun at all and they're really devastating so I've got my fingers crossed," Owen says.

Hurricane Irene is tracking to slam into North Carolina's Outer Banks early Saturday morning and then move up the east coast through Virginia, into New York and the New England states by Sunday or Monday. It's currently a category two storm, but forecasters predict it will strengthen to a category three, bringing heavy rains and winds that are over 100 mph.

Owen is currently on the Get Closer Tour with Keith Urban, traveling through thesSouth into Texas this weekend. His new album, 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night,' is in stores next Tuesday.