Virginians who stock up on batteries, bottled water and other supplies for the hurricane season will get a tax break this month. Starting May 25 and continuing for seven days, a sales tax holiday will spare them state and local levies for items deemed eligible. They include flashlights, tarps, storm-shutter devices, and big-ticket items such as generators priced at $1,000 or less.

RICHMOND It's time to start making a shopping list in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. Beginning May 25, Virginia will offer tax-free shopping days for emergency supplies. The annual tax holiday will take place May 25-31 and will exempt the following items from sales tax: - Batteries, including cellphone batteries;

MIAMI Irene is being retired from the list of storm names because the 2011 hurricane killed 49 people and caused more than $15 billion in damage.

RALEIGH, N.C. Researchers at North Carolina State University are predicting a relatively average hurricane season, but note that minor storms can cause serious problems when they make landfall.  

A cooler Atlantic and the high likelihood of an El Nino event could make for a below average hurricane season this year, according to a report from a Colorado State University forecasting team.

By Mike Schneider ORLANDO, Fla. Officials with the National Hurricane Center had a message Tuesday for residents living in hurricane-prone areas: Don't tape your windows. 

CHARLESTON, S.C. National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read said today that science will improve to the point where forecasters can reliably issue forecasts showing where a hurricane will be a week ahead of time.

MATHEWS COUNTY

After surveying storm damage, the National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Mathews County on Friday evening.

The tornado traveled a one-mile path in five minutes, beginning at White Cemetery and ending on Va. 14 just north of Bavon. It also passed by the Davis Road Marina, according to the weather service.

A tree apparently felled by high winds killed a landscaping worker in Goochland County and The National Weather Service is trying to determine if a tornado swept through rural Mathews County. The Goochland Sheriff's Office identified Friday's victim as 56-year-old Javier Hernandez of Henrico County. He was working with a crew at a residence when the tree fell and struck him.

PORTSMOUTH The Coast Guard is warning mariners about gale-force winds that are forecast for the mid-Atlantic region.

The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for Sunday and Monday. Winds are expected to be in excess of 40 knots and with waves reaching up to 22 feet in height. The Coast Guard is advising mariners who are not experienced in those conditions to stay in port.