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This weekend, Marengo County and the City of Demopolis will be participating in Alabama’s Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Being prepared for emergencies is always important and this weekend presents the perfect opportunity to prepare for what may lie ahead.

Along with the state, both Marengo County and the City of Demopolis will be participating, so this event also offers an opportunity to shop local and support local business.

The event begins Friday, Feb. 22, and continues through Sunday, Feb. 24. This marks the eighth annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

The Alabama Retail Association encourages Alabamians to restock emergency supplies in homes, workplaces and vehicles during this three-day tax holiday. Certain emergency preparedness items will be exempt from the state’s 4-percent state sales tax, as well as the county and city tax break.

Among the items that may be purchased with no tax include the following items priced at $60 or less: flashlights and lanterns, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, batteries, first-aid kits, cell phone chargers, two-way radios, manual can openers, tarps and plastic sheeting, duct tape, fire extinguishers, tie-down kits, and bungee cords or rope.

Other tax-free items include: coolers, ice packs, plywood, window film and smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors. Portable generators and power cords costing $1,000 or less are also tax free. For a full list of tax-free items, go to alabamaretail.org/alabamasalestaxholidays.

Alabama is one of only three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday in 2019; the other states being Texas and Virginia.

Alabama Retail recommends having enough supplies in emergency kits to last 72 hours following a disaster. For information on what items to include in emergency kits, as well as steps to take before and after disasters, visit ready.gov.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, February 20 issue of the Demopolis Times.)