Hurricane Season officially kicks off June 1st. For Louisiana residents, this weekend is the weekend to buy your hurricane supplies. There will be a discount on state sales tax this Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27. Eligible purchases are charged only 3 percent state tax instead of the usual 5 percent.This applies to the first $1500 of the purchase price of the items listed below

• Any portable self-powered light source, including candles, flashlights and other articles of property designed to provide light;
• Any portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio;
• Any tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting;
• Any ground anchor system or tie-down kit;
• Any gas or diesel fuel tank;
• Any package of AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6 volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries;
• Any cell phone battery and any cell phone charger;
• Any nonelectric food storage cooler;
• Any portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage;
• Any storm shutter device;
• Any carbon monoxide detector; and
• Any reusable freezer pack such as “blue ice.”

Please note that the exemption covers only state tax, you are still responsible for any local sales tax that may be in effect.This tax exemption does not apply to items sold by vendors in airports, hotels, entertainment complexes or convenience stores.