Being Prepared this Hurricane Season

If you are a long-time resident of Florida, you know all to well the effects a hurricane can cause to your home and the surrounding community. The series of hurricanes that tore through our state in 2004 caused losses of more than $25 billion in Florida according to estimates from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Being prepared for such catastrophic storms is key.

Image: Kakela on Flickr

Local retailers are gearing up for this sales tax holiday by stocking shelves and helping raise awareness for shoppers as well. Items included in the sales tax holiday are:

• Portable self-powered light sources selling for $20 or less
• Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather band radio selling for $50 or less
• Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less
• Self-contained first-aid kits selling for $30 or less
• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $50 or less
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks selling for $25 or less
• Battery packages: AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less
• Nonelectric food storage coolers selling for $30 or less
• Portable generators used to preserve food or provide light or communications selling for $750 or less
• Reusable ice selling for $10 or less

Find more information, resources and ideas on how to stay safe this hurricane season visit The Florida Division of Emergency Management. You can also download our free checklist to take with you when you are shopping.