Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday 2013

By Nathan Young on February 22, 2013

This weekend from Friday February 22nd to Sunday February 24th is a very important weekend in Alabama. This is the weekend to go to your local retailers to stock on items that can get you prepared for severe weather. If you live in Alabama, you know what we have gone through in weather. We have had the horrible tornado outbreak on April 27th 2011. And we have had major snowstorms, hurricanes, flooding, wind storms, big hail, heat waves, cold waves, and everything you can think of when it comes to extreme weather. Alabama experiences some of the most diverse weather in the world. And YOU are responsible for being prepared if you are without power and water for a week or more. You are also responsible for having supplies ready if you have to evacuate.

After the governor formed the Tornado Recovery Action Council; one of the recommendations was to hold a sales tax holiday for supplies to get ready for severe weather. And right now you can go to a retailer or shop online to get your supplies.

My Weather Radio.

Some cities and counties are also participating in the sales tax holiday. The first thing everyone should have in their homes is a weather radio. You should have several ways to get a weather warning. For me I have a weather radio, alerts through my phone, TV, weather siren nearby, and the internet including social media. Some people still relies solely on an outdoor weather siren for weather warnings which should NEVER be done. You need to have multiple ways to get the warning. Weather radios are not very expensive to get and you can program them using the SAME codes. Click on the link to find your county.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/CntyCov/nwrAL.htm

Here is also a great video on how to program your SAME code into your weather radio.

Everyone should also prepare an emergency kit for everyone in your family. We all keep hearing these reports of people waiting for the government to come rescue them. But YOU are responsible for getting the supplies ready to be without help for several days.

My bottled Water Stash.

No one can come help you immediately after the disaster has struck. It takes time for rescuers to reach the area that was severely damaged. So what do you need in your disaster kit? You need a first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, a battery-powered or hank crank radio, enough water for each person for three days, portable or canned food, fully charged cell phone, cash, extra medication, whistle, bleach, trash bags, fire extinguisher, masks, and a generator. For a list of even more suggestions for your emergency kit click on the link below.

http://www.ready.gov/document/family-supply-list

Here is a great video of the stuff that you need in an emergency kit.

For a list of cities and counties participating in the sales tax holiday click on the link.

http://revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPholiday.htm

Here is a list of the items you can buy sales tax-free during the 2013 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. ($60 or less or generators under $1000)

Cellphone batteries.
Self-powered or battery-powered radios, two-way radios, weatherband or NOAA weather radios.
Self-powered light sources including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, and emergency glow sticks.
Tarpaulin.
Plastic sheeting, drop cloths, or other flexible and waterproof sheeting.
Ground anchor systems, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kits.
Duct tape.
Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings.
Non-electric food storage coolers or water storage containers.
Nonelectric can openers.
Artificial ice.
Blue ice.
Ice packs.
Reusable ice.
First-aid kits.
Fire extinguishers.
Smoke detectors.
Carbon monoxide detectors.
Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers.