How to Prepare Your Home for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Serving Greater Orlando Florida | Windermere | Oviedo | Longwood
Since our establishment in 2002, we have been through many hurricanes and tropical storms, helping many Orlando area homes and businesses storm-proof their property. While it’s impossible to predict the severity of the next big hurricane, generally, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of severe damage around the yard and home.
Are you ready for the next storm? At Grasshoppers, we believe that the best way to ensure you recover quickly is to make sure you’re well prepared. Preparing your property and locking in a storm cleanup plan puts you in a position to move on quickly after a storm. So, let’s talk about how to prepare your Orlando area home for hurricanes.
5 Tips for Preparing Your Landscape for a Hurricane
During storms, trees are highly susceptible to damage, and when trees sustain damage, that damage may extend to nearby homes, vehicles, and people. In Florida, you owe it to yourself and your neighbors to make sure the trees around your property are hurricane-proof.
1. Identify Trees that May Be Vulnerable in Storms
What sort of trees may be vulnerable in storms? Look for trees that display any of these characteristics:
- Codominant limbs – trees with two large limbs that split in different directions. Picture a Y or wishbone shape.
- Decay, rot, or large cavities
- Leaning trees
- Unhealthy roots
If any of the trees on your property display these signs, we recommend consulting with a local arborist who can take a look and tell you what your options are.
2. Trim and Prune Dead, Broken, or Damaged Branches
Dead, broken, or damaged branches on an otherwise healthy tree don’t necessarily mean that the tree is a structural risk, but it is important to remove those branches. In a storm, your tree may stay put, but the hurricane-force wind can still shake off loose branches and turn them into flying projectiles.
If you’re not experienced in tree pruning, we recommend hiring a professional. Our experienced tree care team can assist with all of your tree pruning and palm tree trimming needs.
3. Replace Hard Mulch with Soft Mulch
River rock and pea gravel, while aesthetically pleasing, can become hazardous during hurricanes or tropical storms. High winds can propel these hard mulches, potentially causing damage to cars, siding, and windows.
To reduce the risk of dents and scratches, consider hiring a professional mulching service to replace hard mulch with an alternative like shredded bark, shredded leaves, or pine needles. These materials are less likely to cause significant damage when scattered by strong winds.
4. Maintain a Healthy Landscape
In general, a healthy landscape will be better prepared for an intense storm. Plants that are healthy have stronger roots, which are better able to absorb more nutrients. More nutrients give you a healthier plant overall, which continues to promote strong roots.
We recommend:
- Boost your landscape’s resilience with strategic fertilization.
- Proactively defend your trees and plants by monitoring for and addressing pests and diseases.
- Fortify your trees from the ground up by actively managing root health and structure.
- Consult with a Florida landscaping expert who has experience with storm preparedness.
5. Assess the Drainage Situation at Your House
In a mild to moderate storm, having proper drainage can be the difference between flooding and staying dry and protected. Next time it rains, carefully observe how your drainage system performs. Does the water drain easily, or does it pool and collect in places? If the latter, you should consider scheduling a consultation with a drainage contractor.
6. Lock in a Storm Clean-Up Plan
A hurricane or major storm is stressful enough. Cleaning up the damage in the aftermath shouldn’t add to your burden. We understand that dealing with fallen trees, debris, and landscape damage can feel overwhelming when you’re already managing so much. That’s why we handle the entire cleanup process for you.
At Grasshoppers, we offer comprehensive storm clean-up services in the Orlando area. And for extra peace of mind, let us know you want storm clean-up preapproval.
When you preapprove our team for post-hurricane cleanup services, once the storm has passed, our experienced crew will report to your property as soon as possible to begin our landscape clean-up efforts.
Let Grasshoppers Help Hurricane-Proof Your Property
Don’t wait until the next storm warning to start preparing. Taking proactive steps now can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major disaster.
At Grasshoppers, we’ve weathered every storm alongside the Orlando community since 2002. Whether you need professional tree pruning, landscape assessments, or want to secure post-storm cleanup services, we’re here to help you prepare.
Ready to hurricane-proof your property? Contact Grasshoppers today to schedule your consultation and lock in your storm cleanup plan.
Back to Landscaping