Why is it important to know how to prepare your yard for hurricanes? Well, experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have predicted the 2020 hurricane season to be an active one. An average season typically has about 12 name storms, while the NOAA predicts approximately 13-19 named storms for 2020, which includes a seasonal outlook of 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes.
Just in the first month of this hurricane season alone, there have been six named storms (Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, and Fay). This breaks records for the earliest we have seen this many named storms during the hurricane season. Now is the time to prepare your property. Mitigate or avoid potential damage from any storms passing through the Lakeland area.
Minimize Property Damage with Tree Services
When is the best time to do tree services to prepare your yard for hurricanes? Yesterday would have been ideal, but now will have to suffice. Waiting until a hurricane or severe storm is forcasted to hit your area is already too late, because that is when people will begin calling for tree services.
Call now and save yourself the worry and the hassle.
Tree Trimming & Removal
One important preparation that needs to be done is tree trimming. Removing unhealthy or dead branches is imperative.
Branches can fall or become projectiles during severe weather and can then damage yours or your neighbor’s property.
Tree removal may also be necessary depending on the condition and placement of the trees on your property. Tree removal becomes a necessity for trees that are:
- Diseased
- Already dead
- Pose a threat of major damage to a home, fence, or vehicle
Trees on your property not only run the risk of falling into structures on your property, they also run the risk of creating severe injuries or even fatalities. Consider a professional evaluation of the trees on your property and take the route of safety as a precaution.
Protecting New Trees
If you’ve recently installed trees on your property, take safety measures to ensure no damage is done to them during the storms. Newly planted or young trees should be properly staked into the ground with 2x4s.
It is important to hire a professional to stake your trees to the ground because they know the proper depth to drive the stakes. If done improperly, both the tree and the 2×4 can become hazards during a powerful storm.
Take Time to Check Your Entire Property for Potential Hazards
You do not want to leave this until the last minute! There are too many other storm preparations that need to be done when a severe storm baring down the Lakeland area.
Drainage Areas
These areas should be checked and made sure that all debris is cleared. A blocked storm drain or drainage area can create worse flooding problems. If water backs up onto your property and creates loose soil, the root systems of nearby trees may not be able to keep the tree properly anchored. This leads to falling trees and the potential for some serious damage.
Yard Cleanup
Anything that can become a projectile in your yard must be dealt with. Yard decorations, tools, furniture, and anything not securely anchored into the ground needs to be removed from your yard. In addition to removing these items, now would be the right time to make sure all doors to sheds are closed and secured.
Potted Plants
All potted plants need to be brought indoors. Small potted plants that you have around your yard can easily become projectiles. They can cause damage to property.
Irrigation Systems
Turn off all your irrigation systems. In fact, turning off the main water line would be the best option to prep for these storms. If a tree falls on your property, the roots could break the existing water lines and cause a flooding issue or make an existing flood even worse.
Gutters
Take time to make sure your rain gutters are clean and clear of any debris. Secure parts of your gutters that may be weak. When your rain gutters are blocked, this causes excess amounts of water to pool, which can potentially cause damage to your roof.
Call us as part of your hurricane preparation!
The more work you put into securing your property and making it safe prior to hurricane season, the less potential damage you must worry about when the storm hits.
Contact Creative Edge Landscape & Lawn Care, LLC today by calling (863) 880-1355 . Make us a part of your hurricane preparations. Have our professionals get your tree services appointment in the books! With so many storms having passed early in the season, who knows what is coming for Lakeland, Florida during the remainder of our hurricane season. Be sure to prepare your yard for hurricanes early!