Lowe's to help hurricane preparations

MOORESVILLE, N.C., May 24 (UPI) -- Home improvement giant Lowe's of North Carolina says it will offer free workshops in Florida to help people prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

The Mooresville. N.C., company said all its 71 Florida stores would offer hurricane-specific classes and free severe weather guides June 1-12, when the state is offering a tax-free shopping period for hurricane preparedness items.

"We know the havoc caused by the four storms that hit back-to-back last year," Jim Frasso, senior vice president of operations for the southeast division, said Monday, adding the company wanted to "encourage Floridians to make the necessary provisions to safeguard their homes and property before future storms hit."