The State of Florida is offering disaster preparedness financial assistance through the 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday that begins June 1, in conjunction with the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and ends on June 14.
“We want our residents to be ready for the upcoming season,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “Like last year, the legislation for the Sales Tax Holiday signed by Governor Ron DeSantis is that there is a two-week period for the financial relief June 1 through Friday, June 14, and a second period right before the peak of hurricane season, August 24 through September 6.”
Below is a list of all qualifying items:
Selling for $10 or less
- Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case
Selling for $15 or less
- Manual can openers
- Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets
- Cat litter pans
- Pet waste disposal bags
- Hamster or rabbit substrate
Selling for $20 or less
- Reusable ice packs
- Leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets
- Pet pads
Selling for $25 or less
- Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds
Selling for $40 or less
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Pet beds
Selling for $50 or less
- Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only – a AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
Selling for $60 or less
- Nonelectric food storage coolers
- Portable power banks
Selling for $70 or less
- Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Selling for $100 or less
- Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems
- Portable pet kennels and carriers
- Ratchet straps
- Tie-down kits
- Dry dog or cat food weighing less than 50 pounds
Selling for $3,000 or less
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage
“As with food, water, and medications, we recommend having seven days’ worth of supplies at the ready – not just for hurricanes, but all emergencies,” Lord said. “Use this sales tax holiday to buy essentials as your first step in preparedness.”
Remember to shop locally.
“Another thing we would ask residents is to do now is to take a moment to sign up for emergency notifications at www.FlaglerCounty.gov/AlertFlagler,” Lord said. “If you know someone with special medical needs, such as someone who requires electricity, refrigeration for medication, or oxygen – or someone who would require transportation assistance to evacuate – encourage them to enroll in our Special Needs Registry.”
Go to www.FlaglerCounty.gov/emergency and select “Individuals with Special Needs” to register for special needs evacuation and sheltering assistance.
For more information about the 2024 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday go to https://floridarevenue.com/disasterprep.
