GOVERNOR CRIST AND LT. GOVERNOR KOTTKAMP MARK FIRST DAY OF HURRICANE SEASON
June 1, 2007
Contact:
VIVIAN MYRTETUS
(850) 488-5394
PUNTA GORDA – Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today urged Floridians to finalize their family disaster preparedness plans and ensure that family members, homes and businesses are ready for the possibility of a hurricane or other disaster. They also encouraged Floridians to take advantage of the 2007 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which begins today and continues through Tuesday, June 12.
“Today may be the first official day of the Atlantic hurricane season, but we have already seen the first named storm of the year,” said Governor Crist. “While we pray for protection from storms that may come our way during the next six months, we know every family, business and community must be prepared for the possibility of a storm.”
Lt. Governor Kottkamp toured the Charlotte County Public Safety Complex during its grand re-opening celebration. The complex replaces the Emergency Operations Center that was destroyed in August 2004 by Hurricane Charley.
“The opening of this complex represents the hard work and dedication of many people who have made this community’s recovery possible,” said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. “The past several years have required Florida to reach new levels of preparation, and state and local emergency responders, like those here in Charlotte County, have risen to the occasion.”
Each individual’s disaster supply kit should include at least a three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food for the entire family – including pets. Kits should include prescription drugs and special supplies for family members with special needs, including babies, small children and elders.
To encourage and assist Floridians to adequately prepare for the 2007 hurricane season, Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday allows purchases of certain items used in preparation for a hurricane disaster to be exempt from sales taxes for the next 12 days. These items include flashlights, batteries, and portable radios, as well as more permanent devices such as storm shutters and portable generators. This exemption continues the tradition of the hurricane sales tax holiday begun in May 2005 and is expected to save consumers an estimated $24.3 million.
For more information about disaster preparedness and the Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org and click on “Get a Family Plan” or “Get a Business Plan.”