COVID-19 adds to urgency of buying hurricane supplies during sales tax holiday
With COVID-19 still an unchecked deadly threat, Floridians will need to combine social distancing and appropriate mask wearing when buying their emergency supplies for what is predicted to be a intense hurricane season.
State and local officials are encouraging residents to take advantage of the 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday May 29-June 4 to stock up on hurricane supplies.
Qualifying items are exempt from sales tax during this period, including reusable ice selling for $10 or less, any portable light source powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas, candles, flashlights and lanterns selling for $20 or less, and any diesel or gas fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers selling for $25 or less.
Also on the tax-free list:
▪ Batteries, including rechargeables, selling for $30 or less (with the exception of automobile and boat batteries).
▪ Bungee cords, ground anchor systems, radios, ratchet straps, tarps, tie-down kits, and waterproof sheeting selling got $50 or less.
▪ Portable generators to provide light or communications or to preserve food during a power outage selling for $750 or less.
“With forecasters predicting another intense Atlantic hurricane season with as many as 13 to 19 named storms, disaster preparedness experts say it’s critically important for people in evacuation zones to plan to stay with friends or family, rather than end up in shelters during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Steve Litschauer, chief of emergency management for Manatee County.
The sales tax holiday is a prime time for Manatee County residents to not only save a little money but, more importantly, prepare and update disaster prep kits,” county spokesman Nick Azzara said.
“We recommend people shop now while there are plenty of supplies on shelves. You’ll also avoid the rush that comes before a storm is approaching. A crowded shopping center is the last place you want to be while the coronavirus is still present in our community. It’s more important than ever to prepare now and make your hurricane preparations before there’s a rush on supplies,” Azzara said.
Scott Hamblen, chief merchandising officer for Sunshine Ace Hardware Crowder Bros., said now is the time to stock up.
“This will be the year you really want to be prepared. With the worldwide supply chain impact of COVID-19, we are stocking up on hurricane supplies and we hope our neighbors use the tax free holiday to stock up and save,” Hamblen said.
“We want to make sure everyone replenishes their supplies now. Don’t wait until the last minute as supplies will likely be harder to find then in prior years. With travel restrictions and social distancing, there could potentially be fewer evacuation and shelter options; therefore, we recommend solutions to make your time at home without electricity more comfortable like a generator, portable AC or a fan,” he said.
Rich Epps is the owner of seven Batteries Plus Bulbs stores, including the one at 6240 14th St. W., Bradenton.
Batteries Plus can help customers create an emergency preparedness kit with batteries, flashlights, lanterns, weather radio batteries, and portable generators. For convenience, in light of new business regulations and social distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, customers can now call their local store or order online for curbside pickup..
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that if there is a need to evacuate, households should prepare a “go kit” with personal items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, or bar or liquid soap if not available, and two cloth face coverings for each person. Face covers should not be used by children under the age of 2. They also should not be used by people having trouble breathing, or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the mask without assistance.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
