The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season is rapidly approaching, and a sales tax holiday scheduled for later this month is aimed at helping area residents prepare.

For the third year running, the Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will take place the last weekend in May. This year, the holiday falls on May 29 and 30.

Hurricane supplies including batteries, flashlights, self-powered radios and storm shutter devices can be purchased free of the state's sales tax on those two days.

Most of the retailers in the metro New Orleans area that sell hurricane-preparedness supplies will participate. The sales tax holiday, however, does not apply to items purchased at airports, hotels, convenience stores or entertainment complexes.

Items placed on layaway, ordered for immediate shipment or purchased using a previously obtained "rain check" are covered by the sales tax holiday.