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The National Hurricane Center introduced a new, experimental warning cone in August. Here’s what’s changed.
We are in the middle of hurricane season and are already being hit by severe storms like Tropical Storm Debby.
If you haven’t put together your weather emergency kit yet, now is the time. Florida’s sales tax-exempt disaster preparedness event is back for the second time this year.
From now until September 6, 2024, you can stock up on essential hurricane items tax-free.
But what exactly should you buy?
Here’s what you need to know about the tax exemption and what you should consider for your hurricane kit.
How does the tax exemption work in Florida?
Earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that provided Florida with two tax-free periods to prepare for hurricanes.
The first lasted from June 1 to 14, the second began on August 24 and ended on September 6.
Tax-free VAT does not apply to all items you find in a store, but only to items that fall under the VAT scheme.
What can I buy during the tax-free periods?
Only certain items are tax-free. Here is the list.
- Self-powered lamps for $40 or less.
- Portable powered radio, walkie-talkie, or weather radio for $50 or less.
- A tarp or other flexible, waterproof sheet with a retail price of $100 or less.
- An item normally sold as, or commonly advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit, with a retail price of $100 or less.
- A tank of gasoline or diesel with a retail price of $50 or less.
- A package of AA, AAA, C, D cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and marine batteries, with a retail price of $50 or less.
- A non-electric food storage cooler with a retail price of $60 or less.
- A portable generator used to provide light, communications, or food preservation during a power outage and with a selling price of $3,000 or less.
- Reusable ice with a retail price of $20 or less.
- A portable power bank with a retail price of $60 or less.
- A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a retail price of $70 or less.
- A fire extinguisher with a retail price of $70 or less.
- A carbon monoxide detector with a retail price of $70 or less.
What do I really need to prepare for a hurricane?
When it comes to preparing for a hurricane, there are countless supplies at your disposal, but do you really need them all?
According to experts, the following should be included in a basic hurricane kit.
- Water: one gallon per person per day for several days.
- Food. Pack non-perishable foods for at least several days.
- Battery powered radio
- flashlight
- First aid kit
- Batteries
- A signal for help. A whistle, a battery-operated megaphone or an emergency alarm will work.
- Dust mask
- Plastic sheeting and tape in case you need to seek shelter on site
- Wet wipes, garbage bags and plastic bands for personal hygiene
- Wrench or pliers for switching off utilities
- Manual can opener
- Local maps
- Mobile phone, chargers and spare batteries
How can I track storms in 2024?
Naples Daily News offers an interactive storm tracker online where you can see active and archived storms.
The information comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
