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The 2007 hurricane season officially begins today.

And those wanting to stock up on storm supplies will get a much-needed price break, as Florida’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday also begins today.

“On big items it’s a huge help,” said Naples resident Leah Lemaster, 55.

Lemaster, who bought her generator during the 2006 tax holiday, said that all her friends also bought their generators during last year’s tax reprieve.

“It was kind of a generator year,” she said.

Also included in the tax-free sale are flashlights, batteries, storm shutters, radios, water and other small supplies.

The third annual tax-free holiday, which Gov. Charlie Crist approved April 30, is designed to help Floridians prepare for hurricane season.

“We have learned from experience that prepared residents and communities are key to surviving and recovering from hurricanes or other natural disasters,” Crist said in a press release.

Floridians are expected to save almost $25 million in sales tax.

And local stores have been getting ready for the rush of shoppers, who’ll be taking advantage of the 12-day window on tax-free storm supplies.

“There was a good response to it last year,” said Sherry Kish, the store manager at the Sunshine Ace Hardware store on Ninth Street in Naples. “We order in extra supplies in anticipation.”

After the effects of Hurricane Wilma in October 2005, generators were popular items across Florida.

But even higher on the “to get list” were the little red fuel jugs.

“I think gas cans were ‘the’ hot commodity last year,” said Kish.

The Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday ends June 12.

Here’s a list of qualifying items:

• Blue ice or items sold as artificial ice

• Any portable self-powered light source

• Battery-powered flashlights

• Battery-powered lanterns

• Gas-powered lanterns (including propane, kerosene, lamp oil, or similar fuel)

• Tiki-type torches

• Candles

• Any gas or diesel fuel container (including LP gas and kerosene containers)

• Batteries, including rechargeable (listed sizes only) — AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries), 9-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)

• Coolers (food storage; nonelectrical)

• Ice chests (food storage; nonelectrical

• Any cell phone charger

• Radios (self powered or battery powered)

• Two-way radios (self powered or battery powered)

• Weather band radios (self powered or battery powered)

• Tarpaulins (tarps)

• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting

• Ground anchor systems

• Tie-down kits (items that are advertised or normally sold as a tie-down or anchoring kit)

• Bungee cords

• Ratchet straps

• Any cell phone batteries

• Any carbon monoxide detectors

• Any package consisting of two or more of the previously listed qualifying hurricane-preparedness items sold for $75 or less will qualify for the exemption.

• Any package consisting of one or more of the previously listed hurricane-preparedness items and at least one other item that is otherwise tax exempt and the package is sold for $75 or less will qualify for the exemption

• Storm shutter devices (defined as materials and products specifically manufactured, rated and marketed for the purpose of preventing window damage from storms)

• Portable generators that will be used to provide light, communications or to preserve perishable food in the event of a power outage.