The countdown to hurricane season continues. It's now just three days away. Activity doesn't normally peak until September and October, but all residents really need to be prepared before the season starts. For the first time in four years there will be no sales tax holiday this weekend. However, there is still a way for residents to get the extra bang for their buck.

Larry Hamilton a resident of Gainesville for over 25 years knows how chaotic things can get when a hurricane approaches. Even though its been pretty quiet in North Central Florida for the past few years, Hamilton prepares for every season like is going to be a bad one.

"You never know what's going to happen," said Hamilton.

After the devastation of the 2004 hurricane season, the state of Florida offered a tax free holiday to encourage Floridans to get a jump start on buying supplies and making a plan early. But with the recent budget cuts, there will be no such thing this year. Officials hope that even though residents may have to spend a little extra money, they will still be just as prepared.

"Thats the challenge, we gotta get the word out there and make sure people are still aware," says Danny Hinson from Alachua County Emergency Management.

To remind residents of the importance of having a disaster kit fully stocked at the beginning of hurricane season, Lowe's offers a way for folks to save money, even without the tax holiday this year.

"We are offering our customers a 10% discount on certain hurricane products and materials," says Mark Payne, the Sales Manager at Lowe's.

Not only will you save a little money here if you buy items for your kit now, but you will be guaranteed to find a large supply of items that may be tougher to find as we get further into hurricane season.

"Materials sell so fast that it's difficult to keep shelves stocked full,"says Payne.

The idea is that you can continue to add to your kit all year round so it will be benefical to have not just during hurricane season but for any type of disaster. Not just that, but it won't be as much of hassle to run out and buy things at the last minute.

"I'm hopeful that our residents are wiser than that and that they're still going to be prepared," says Hinson.

For more information about what you should have in your disaster kit, click on the links section of our website.