February 17, 2026

Tax Free Holiday Helps to Prepare For Tornado Season

By Isabella Gomez
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

February 17, 2026

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. With tornado season just around the corner, Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Emergency Management Office wants you to be prepared.

And to help Alabamians prepare, there is a statewide tax-free holiday to help you to prepare for severe weather.
Starting on Friday, February 20th through Sunday, February 22^nd.

During Alabama’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, no state sales or use tax is due on certain items you may purchase to deal with severe weather.

Here’s a list of some of the eligible items:

Batteries

Cell phone chargers/batteries

Portable radio or NOAA radio

Flashlights + lanterns

Plastic sheeting + tarps

Duct tape

Plywood

Non-electric food storage cooler

Can opener

Artificial ice

First aid kit

Smoke detector

Gas tank

Fire extinguisher

In addition, any portable generator priced at $1,564 or less will also be tax exempt.

During spring, late February and early March, our area is sometimes prone to experiencing strong winds, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.
In fact, over the last 20 years, the state of Alabama has experienced an average of 63 tornadoes every year, causing injuries, deaths and mass property destruction.

The peak of tornado season in Alabama is between March and May, but tornadoes can occur anytime in our state.