Preparing Your Landscape for Hurricane Season
Preparing your landscape for hurricane season to withstand heavy rains and high winds is critical in Northeast Florida. With careful planning and the proper precautions, you can minimize potential damage and help ensure the safety of your home and family.
Step 1: Secure Loose Items
The strong winds associated with hurricanes can quickly turn unsecured items into dangerous projectiles. Secure or store outdoor furniture, toys, gardening tools, and other loose items the wind could pick up.
Step 2: Trim Trees and Shrubs
Regularly maintaining and trimming your trees can prevent damage caused by broken branches during a hurricane. Also, consider removing dead or dying trees that could fall on your home or property.
Step 3: Clean Gutters and Drains
Ensure gutters and storm drains are clear of debris and in proper working condition to allow water to flow freely and reduce the risk of flooding. If your landscape does not typically drain properly, contact a qualified company to provide all-season drainage solutions. Click HERE to learn more about Rockaway Drainage & Stormwater Solutions.
Step 4: Consider Flood Resistant Landscaping
Using flood-resistant plants and proper grading techniques can help prevent soil erosion and reduce the impact of flooding. “The role of plants in proper stormwater management is receiving more attention than ever before,” according to Turf Magazine. “Engineering and landscape design are becoming powerful partners in creating effective drainage that also fights pollution of our waterways.” Adding gravel is also suitable for erosion control around downspouts, pools, and driveways.
Step 5: Inspect Fencing
Inspect and repair weak areas of your fencing. Strong winds can knock down flimsy fences, creating more debris and potential damage. A strong fence can also protect from debris blowing into your landscape.
Step 6: Plan for Debris
Know your community’s trash pickup schedule and regulations for yard waste disposal. After a hurricane, cleaning up yard debris promptly is essential to prevent further damage. Click HERE for the normal City of Jacksonville residential waste collection days. Click HERE for information on St. Johns County residential waste collection days.
Remember, preparing your landscape for hurricane season is an ongoing task. Regular landscape maintenance goes a long way toward minimizing potential damage. Stay safe and stay prepared this hurricane season.
Additional Resources:
-The City of Jacksonville’s Preparedness Guide is available at JaxReady
-Jacksonville Beach Disaster Preparation Kits
-City of Atlantic Beach Emergency Preparedness
–Beaches Watch Hurricane Preparedness Presented by: Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Neptune Beach Emergency Management officials
-St. Johns County Hurricane Preparedness Guide
-St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management
-Also, consider our Landscape Hurricane Preparedness Article
We wish you well through hurricane season!
From our office in Atlantic Beach and satellites throughout Northeast Florida, Rockaway Inc proudly serves both commercial and residential landscape design, maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and outdoor living carpentry client needs in Jacksonville, St Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Johns, and Fernandina Beach.