Ready or not

During this year's National Hurricane and Flooding Preparedness week, state officials are offering a sales tax break to encourage Virginians to stock up on emergency items. The tax break runs from May 25 through May 31 and offers exemptions on emergency kit items under $60. Tax-free items range from bottled water to batteries, first aid kits to duct tape. Generators and inverters under $1000 are also tax-exempt.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an above-average hurricane season this year, with 3 to 6 major hurricanes and up to 14 named storms. While the NOAA cannot predict when and where the storms may hit this early in the season, Virginia is likely to see at least some storm activity this year.

"For the last several weeks in Virginia we have seen firsthand how extreme weather events can take lives, as well as destroy homes, disrupt businesses and burden families," Governor Bob McDonnell said in a press release Monday. "As we recover from the historic outbreak of tornadoes, we need to be especially mindful that hurricane and flooding season is rapidly approaching. I urge every citizen of the Commonwealth to take the appropriate steps to protect themselves and their property."

Virginia's hurricane preparedness site, Readyvirginia.gov, recommends that each family have at least a three-day supply of canned food, a manual can opener, three gallons of water per person, a hand-crank radio with extra batteries, and a written emergency plan.

Virginia sidestepped all major hurricanes during the 2010 hurricane season. Last year's biggest worry was Hurricane Earl, initially a Category 4 hurricane that was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it brushed the Virginia coast. Earl caused minimal damage, gusts of up to 45 mph and several inches of rain.

"The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season's tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines," said NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco. "However we can't count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook."

Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June 1 to November 30 each year. In 2007, Virginia legislators declared May 22-28 State Hurricane and Flooding Preparedness Week, in accordance with the national declaration.

For more information, please visit Ready Virginia.

For a list of tax-exempt items, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter today!