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Louisiana's first sales tax holiday of the year -- the "hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday" -- is May 24-25.

It eliminates the state's 4 percent sales tax and is designed to let people stock up on the basics before hurricane season: Flashlights, candles, battery-operated radios, batteries, tarps, coolers and portable generators. There is a $1,500 limit per purchase.

"The day before a hurricane, you don't want to have be searching for a battery, because they're non-existent," said state Rep. Karen St. Germain of Plaquemine.

Despite the name, it's open to all Louisiana shoppers.

This sales tax holiday does not include clothing. That's included in a second sales tax holiday in August.