With the Hurricane Season occurring every year, now is the perfect time to review and update your hurricane preparedness plans. This plan should include taking preventive steps with your yard maintenance. Working on these items now will give you a head start on the season and leave you with more time to safeguard your home or evacuate if necessary.
Below are 18 Tips for Preparing Your Yard for Hurricane Season and yearly.
- Start off right from the Start.
- Choosing the right trees for your yard is key for long term tree health and safety. Find trees labeled “Florida Fancy”. These trees tend to be more hurricane resistant and grow well in Florida.
- For additional information, look at the University of Florida Landscape Plants.
- Inspect your Trees and Shrubs.
- Remove any rotting or damaged branches and roots.
- Dead branches are likely to fall in heavy winds. If you have dead trees, you should have them removed.
- Do not cut off large, healthy branches.
- Keep wounds as small as possible.
- If your tree becomes unhealthy consider removing it as it will be more likely to fall during a heavy storm or hurricane.
- Check Drainage Areas.
- Remove all debris from storm drains and make sure path is clear. If a storm drain is full of debris, storm waters will not be able to flow away correctly and can cause worse flooding. Standing water can loosen root systems and lead to trees falling even after the storms. For additional information, check out the South Florida Water Management District Education Center.
- Do not remove healthy fronds from palms.
- This is detrimental to the palm trees. Palms should be pruned carefully and never over-pruned. Wait until the fronds are completely brown before removing them from the tree.
- Remove Yard Décor.
- If a Hurricane Watch is issued look around for container plants, hanging baskets, tools, lawn furniture, garden art, compost bins, swing sets, toys, bicycles, bird feeders, wind chimes, barbecue pits, trash cans, playhouses, and doghouses. Have a plan to remove them and store them in your garage or a place that will limit them from becoming projectiles.
- Go Nuts!
- Before a storm remove any coconuts or large palm seeds from your palm trees. These can tear off and become dangerous projectiles. Make sure you do this well ahead of a storm and check local trash pickup rules.
- Mulch Beds
- Mulch will often be washed away from plant beds during heavy storms. If beds are very wet let them dry out a bit before mulching again. Edging materials will sometimes help to hold in the mulch but may also hold in water so allow for proper drainage.
- Sprinklers and irrigation
- Sprinkler systems should be in the off mode before the storm. Hurricanes bring lots of rain which is not a good thing for plant roots. More water at this stage will only promote disease problems and over saturated soils coupled with high winds will cause uprooted trees. For additional information, look at the University of Florida – Your Florida Lawn
- Plan your Garden.
- Plants that can grow together can create a dense root system where the roots of the group of plants can intertwine and grow at different depths. This helps them stay in the ground during storms and heavy rain.
- Prune Early
- Do your pruning at the beginning of the storm season rather than right before a storm. If you leave this until right before a storm, you will be left with branches that are now projectiles and must be housed somewhere.
- Spring Cleaning
- Review your yard for old or unnecessary items that could pose a risk during a storm. Dispose of any items that are broken or unneeded (Damaged lawn furniture, old lumber, and pots, etc..).
- Clean your Gutters and check your downspouts.
- Make sure they are property attached to your home and are free from damage. Clean out any leaves or debris so the water can flow properly. Review runoff areas and ensure the water has somewhere to go.
- Inspect your Roof.
- Look for any loose roof tiles or shingles that may be easily blown off. Newer and well-maintained roofs are less likely to sustain significant damage during storms.
- Keep your cool with your pool.
- Never empty your pool. Pools that have been emptied may experience serious structural problems and could even be lifted off their foundations. If your pool is properly equipped with adequate drains and skimmers and the surrounding area is properly drained, the water level can probably be left as it is. If your pool is vinyl or fiberglass never put anything in the pool because the vinyl liner could tear, and the fiberglass can be scratched.
- Turn Off Power
- Shutoff electrical and low voltage lines. Turn off Pool Pumps and protect the pump motor, time clock, light transformers, and electric heaters.
- Tie Down
- Plan for tying-down other outdoor items that should not stay outdoors during a storm but may be too large to store inside. Your plan should specify where these items will be tied or stored in the event a hurricane watch or warning issued.
- Be Informed
- Download The Red Cross Hurricane app to your smart phone. Have lifesaving information right in your hands.
- Stay Safe
- Your yard, home and belongings can be replaced. You and your family cannot. Listen to authorities and know where your evacuation routes are located. If you intend to stay in the area know what shelters are available and plan.
After the storm passes you will need to clean up that yard. Be safe and review these Hurricane yard cleanup tips to help you out.