Mobile Co. holds sales tax holiday for weather preparedness

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - As a way to promote severe weather preparedness, the Mobile County Commission will exempt sales and use taxes for the county on specific items related to preparedness during the upcoming weekend.

The exemption coincides with a similar exemption from state sales and use taxes.

“This provides an excellent opportunity for people to get the basics needed to stay safe during an emergency weather event,” said County Commission President Merceria Ludgood.

“People in the south part of the county are particularly vulnerable to severe weather and I urge them to get the basics together ahead of our hurricane season,” said Commissioner Jerry Carl.

The exemption period runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday February 22 to midnight Sunday, February 24.

Each item must cost less than $60, unless noted. Items covered include:

• Generators ($1,000 or less,)
• Batteries,
• Weather radios,
• portable and self-powered lights,
• tarps and other waterproof sheeting,
• ground anchor systems,
• duct tape,
• plywood,
• window film and other window protection items,
• non-electric food storage containers,
• non-electric can openers, and
• artificial ice

For a complete list, visit: http://revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPSalesTaxHol.cfm\

The county commissioners also urge citizens to sign up for the county’s disaster notification system, which provides targeted messaging to local citizens during a disaster. Anyone may sign up for text, email or phone messages by going to the county’s home page at www.mobilecountyal.gov and clicking on the First Call Emergency Notification button.

“When we have weather events or other disasters, we can get messages through our notification system to specific populations and can provide directions to minimize threats and keep our families safe,” said Commissioner Connie Hudson.