Tax holiday for hurricane prep in Tampa St. Petersburg Florida Credit: National Hurricane Center/ public domain

Tax holiday for hurricane prep in Tampa St. Petersburg Florida Credit: National Hurricane Center/ public domain

Consider Alberto a harbinger of hurricane season, which officially starts June 1. 

What also starts June 1 is a seven-day sales tax holiday on certain things required to navigate the upcoming hurricane season. 

Here's the list of the tax-suspended items — and the best places to buy them from locally-owned businesses.

Batteries: AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt, including rechargables, except auto and boat batteries, $30 or less 

CL suggests:  

  • Ace Hardware (Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg — Maximo, St. Petersburg — Crescent Lake area, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Town N Country, Palm Harbor, Riverview, Odessa, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Brandon)* 
  • Do It Best (Tierra Verde)*

Bungee cords, ground anchor systems, radios (battery, solar, or hand-crank), two-way radios, weather bands, ratchet straps, tarps, tie-down kits, Visqueen, plastic sheeting, drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting, $50 or less 

CL suggests: 

  • Ace Hardware (Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg — Maximo, St. Petersburg — Crescent Lake area, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Town N Country, Palm Harbor, Riverview, Odessa, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Brandon)*
  • Do It Best (Tierra Verde)*
  • Go2 Outfitters (some items) (Lutz)
  • Pants Towne Army Navy Store (some items; call) (St. Petersburg, Tyrone area) 

Food-storage, nonelectrical coolers, $30 or less 

CL suggests:  

  • Ace Hardware (Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg — Maximo, St. Petersburg — Crescent Lake area, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Town N Country, Palm Harbor, Riverview, Odessa, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Brandon)* 
  • Bill Jackson's (Pinellas Park)
  • Crowder Brothers True Value (St. Pete Beach)
  • Do It Best (Tierra Verde)*

Gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers, $25 or less 

CL suggests: 

Generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage, $750 or less 

CL suggests: 

  • Ace Hardware (Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg — Maximo, St. Petersburg — Crescent Lake area, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Town N Country, Palm Harbor, Riverview, Odessa, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Brandon)*
  • Do It Best (Tierra Verde)*

Ice — reusable, $10 or less 

CL suggests:  

Light sources: portable battery, solar, hand-crank or gas-powered, including candles, flashlights and lanterns, $20 or less 

CL suggests: 


You can get more details here. 

*Despite the national name, these stores have local owners

This article appears in May 24-31, 2018.

Cathy's portfolio includes pieces for Visit Florida, USA Today and regional and local press. In 2016, UPF published Backroads of Paradise, her travel narrative about retracing the WPA-era Florida driving...