The 2014 Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, now is the time to prepare. Allison Farole, MPA Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle joins Les Sinclair on Charlottesville Right Now  with how to prepare for hurricane season here in Central VA.

Virginia’s annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is happening May 25-31. Now is the  time to create and stock up your emergency kit for your home, car, and office.

New this year: gas-powered chainsaws costing less than $350 and chainsaw accessories are tax free! Among other items that are tax-exempt are these, with a price of $60 or less:

Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice
Batteries, excluding car or boat batteries
Portable self-powered light sources, including flashlights and lanterns and glow sticks
First aid kits
Cell phone chargers
Weather Band radios and NOAA Weather Radios
Portable self-powered radios, including radios with electrical power capability
Bottled water of any size, including flavored and carbonated
Two-way radios
Manual can openers
Tarps, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths
Bungee cords and rope
Ground anchor systems, tie down kits
Ratchet straps
Duct tape
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers
Empty gas, propane or diesel fuel tanks or containers
Water storage containers such as buckets, barrels, canteens, coolers

Shop for items on this list that have a sales price of $1,000 or less:
Portable generators and generator power cords
Inverters and inverter power cables.

Retail outlets will have information about the tax holiday. For more information, go to www.vaemergency.gov and www.ReadyVirginia.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges you to prepare your family and business for hurricanes and tropical storms.  Write a family communications plan, make a kit of essential items (bottled water, non-perishable food and a can opener, spare batteries, and specialty items like medical prescriptions, spare eyeglasses and pet food) and be prepared for any potential financial impacts of such events, including reviewing their insurance policies with an insurance agent.

Learn how to prepare for hurricane season at ready.gov/hurricanes, or m.fema.gov

Business owners and managers should visit ready.gov/business for specific resources on response and continuity plans.

 All property owners and renters are encouraged to review insurance coverage, including flood insurance, with an insurance agent to ensure their homes, businesses and possessions are adequately protected from all types of disasters.

 Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, and flooding can happen far from major bodies of water. As hurricanes and tropical storms move inland, the high winds and storm surge are often accompanied by torrential rains that increase the likelihood of flooding. For example, residents as far inland as West Virginia saw the impacts of Hurricane Sandy two years ago, including flooding.

Flood insurance policies should be viewed as protection against a continuing threat – not something to purchase only if flooding appears imminent. In fact, flood insurance policies typically have a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before going into effect, and floods can happen at any time of the year.

 Flood insurance is available nationwide through approximately 85 insurance companies in more than 22,000 communities. Homeowners, renters, condo owners and commercial owners/renters can all purchase flood insurance. Costs vary depending on the level of coverage, the type of coverage and the property’s flood risk. More information about flood risk and flood insurance options is available by visiting www.floodsmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

 FEMA will also join NOAA’s National Hurricane Center to promote storm readiness this month during Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 25-31.