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by Laura Byrne

Oh, boy! Here we are again. THE2021 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON RETURNS JUNE 1-NOV. 30 and it’s predicted to be more active than usual.

This is the time to make sure that your disaster preparedness kits are fully stocked, you know your zone and you have an evacuation plan in place should the zone you live in be ordered to evacuate. Where will you go and how will you get there? Keep in mind that you don’t have to evacuate hundreds of miles away; sometimes tens of miles are all you need to get to a safe structure on higher ground.

For families, the Disaster Kit might look a bit different with plenty of diapers and wipes, kids' games and activities that don't require electricity and any other items your child may need, like medications and first aid.

OTHER MUST-INCLUDE ITEMS FOR FAMILIES: ● Drinking water for one week: 1 gallon per person, per day ● Food: enough non-perishable food to last seven days (can opener if needed) ● Food utensils, paper plates and napkins ● Sanitation supplies like wipes, cleaning products and trash bags ● Battery powered radio (cell phones and TV may not be reliable after a storm) ● Portable chargers ● Flashlight ● Two weeks supply of all medication and supplies ● First Aid Kit ● Important documents like insurance and medical cards, birth certificates and bank info (keep in waterproof container) ● Pet care items and I.D.s ● Keep your vehicles filled with gas THEDISASTER PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY WHICH RUNS MAY 28-JUNE 6 will give you a break on sales tax on some supplies like flashlights and lanterns less than $15, radios $50 or less, tarps less than $100 and batteries $50 or less. Generators less than $1,000 also qualify for the sales tax break during the holiday.

Next on the sales tax-relief pipeline is THEFREEDOM WEEK SALES TAX HOLIDAY WHICH RUNS JULY 1-JULY 7. You’ll get a sales tax break on purchases of admission to music events, sporting events, cultural events, state park annual passes and fitness facilities. You’ll also get a break on certain outdoorrelated supplies including: ● Camping Supplies: First $200 of a tent and first $50 of sleeping bags, hammocks, camping stoves and camping chairs. ● Fishing Supplies: First $75 of fishing rods and reels, first $30 of a tackle box and first $5 on bait and tackle. ● Boating and Water Safety Supplies: First $75 of life jackets and coolers; first $50 for safety flares; first $150 of water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards and inflatable/towable water tubes or floats; first $300 of paddleboards and surfboards; first $500 of canoes and kayaks; and first $25 of snorkels, goggles and swimming masks.

And finally, THEBACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES TAX HOLIDAY RETURNS JULY 31-AUG. 9. Just like previous years, you’ll get a sales tax break on clothing items, backpacks and footwear that are $60 or less, school supplies $15 or less, and the first $1,000 of a personal computer and personal computer related items.

A great time to take advantage of the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is during our BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR AT WESTSHORE PLAZA ON JULY 31 FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. We'll have live performances, giveaways and around 60 local businesses and organizations on hand to answer your questions.