As hurricane preparation becomes more urgent, a sales tax holiday remains stalled in the Florida legislature budget bill battle. The Florida Governmental Utility Authority is warning Floridians that hurricane prep now is critical.
The Florida Legislature is now several weeks overdue in approving the state’s budget, which would normally include a sales tax holiday for specified hurricane preparedness supplies.
Florida is a top target in “above average” hurricane season, which started June 1st. The Florida legislature did not pass a budget on time, though both the House and Senate are returning to Tallahassee to finish their job. While lawmakers have yet to approve a sales tax holiday, FGUA says preparation now is critical.
FGUA serves Citrus County, Hillsborough County, Lake County, Marion County, Orange County, Pasco County, Polk County, Seminole County, Hardee County, Lee County, Alachua County, Flagler County, Putnam County, and Volusia County.
According to the National Weather Service, the rainy season in most of Florida runs from now through October, overlapping with hurricane season which runs from June 1st through November 30th. With Colorado State University predicting another above-average hurricane season, that’s cause for concern and a good reason to quickly finalize any preparations. CSU is predicting 17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes defined as Category 3 (111 mph) or higher.
Topping the list of states most at risk is Florida, with a 92 percent chance of being impacted by a named storm. That includes a 65 percent chance of a hurricane making landfall in the Sunshine State, and a 35 percent chance that it will be a major hurricane.
While a sales tax holiday is uncertain, Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) urges all Floridians to finish up their plans now. General information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cover topics including:
- Determine your risk from water and wind
- Begin preparing now, before a storm
- Learn how to understand hurricane forecasts and alerts
- Learn what to do before, during, and after a storm
A detailed Disaster Supply Checklist and other information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management covers topics including:
- General information and phone numbers
- Clothing, first aid, food and water
- Important documents and vehicle readiness
- Special needs and pet care items
FGUA prepares year-round to minimize the impact of storms on its customers, with a priority focus on preventing service disruptions by investing in upgraded systems, working with electric utilities to expedite the restoration of power, and sharing timely information through its website and the news media.
Even with the best hurricane preparation, equipment and systems, Mother Nature is a powerful competitor. Heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, water main breaks from uprooted trees and loss of power to pumping stations may result in loss of water pressure. All current outages and notices are posted on the FGUA website.
