Hurricane season is upon us once again! Beginning on June 1 and running through November 30, this time of year is when apprehension runs high about Central Florida taking a hit. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other weather experts predict an above-normal 2025 hurricane season in Florida. NOAA is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), six to 10 of which are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher) – including three to five major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

While we can hope these foreboding forecasts don’t come to pass, it’s better to be proactive! As the peak of hurricane season is typically August through mid-October, you still have an opportunity to prepare your yard to prevent or minimize damage should nature unleash its fury. Keep in mind that tropical storms – which have sustained wind speeds from 39 to 73 mph – are capable of inflicting a good deal of property damage, as well!

Pay Attention to Your Trees to Prevent Severe Property Damage

Neglected trees can pose a number of serious hazards. Dead branches can snap off during a storm and crash through windows, as well as fall on houses, vehicles and people. Dead and unhealthy trees can be uprooted, causing the same types of property damage as fallen branches – but even more extensive. In addition, fallen branches and trees can bring down overhead utility lines, which is the main reason for prolonged post-hurricane power outages.

A dramatic case in point was Hurricane Charley – which made landfall on August 9, 2004 as a category 4 storm (130-156 mph sustained winds), uprooting an estimated total of 28,000 trees throughout Orlando and Winter Park. Since then, Central Florida communities encourage homeowners to prune old or overhanging branches and remove dead and declining trees to prevent a similar situation.

According to the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension, a tree that is vulnerable during a hurricane is one with a high center of gravity, a dense canopy, a decayed trunk, two or more trunks, or shallow roots. Shallow roots result from shallow soil or a high water table. 

Overly long branches should be shortened and branches with cracks removed or shortened. Branches with the same diameter as the trunk should be shortened and the outer edges (not the interior) of the canopy should be thinned, making the tree less likely to be blown over. Low branches that are close to the roof should be removed or shortened, as well. It is recommended to have your trees evaluated by a professional about every two years.

Young trees will need support to increase their chance of survival during heavy winds. Canterbury Farms Nursery & Garden Center recommends staking them carefully to avoid causing damage to the roots. Make sure the ties aren’t too tight, as you still want the tree to be able to have some natural sway so that it doesn’t snap off in high winds.

Cutting down heavy limbs or a tree are not DIY jobs, as most homeowners don’t have the tools, equipment or ability to do so safely. And don’t rely on YouTube or TikTok videos to educate you. Call a full-service yard service company or arborist to trim or remove trees.

The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension offers the following recommendations:

• Prune weak, rotting, or dead tree branches and remove low-hanging ones near the house.
• Check tree roots for signs of rotting and remove any rotten or diseased trees or shrubs.
• Keep the tree canopy maintained and thinned to increase air circulation.

If your property is graced by palm trees, you may be wondering if they need special attention to weather a severe storm. Fortunately, they are naturally able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring. Contrary to what you might have been told, palm trees don’t need the so-called “hurricane cut” or “hurricane pruning” that removes all but the youngest fronds with the goal of making the tree more wind-resistant. Not only is removing fronds unnecessary, it can seriously damage the palm tree. When pruning palms, only remove fronds that are completely brown and that hang below the 9 o’clock or 3 o’clock position.

Check Drainage Areas and the Irrigation System

The prolonged, torrential rainfall a hurricane produces can overwhelm a property that has poor drainage, causing flooding. Check drainage areas and clear any debris. 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 – leading to falling trees.

Also check roof gutters and downspouts, and clear them of debris if necessary. Secure parts of your gutters that may be weak. When your rain gutters are blocked, it causes excess amounts of water to pool, which can potentially damage your roof.

In the event a hurricane warning is issued for your area (hurricane force winds are expected in 36 hours), shut off your irrigation system. You won’t need it anyway! Also be sure to shut off the main water line should you be ordered to evacuate. If a tree falls on your property, the roots could break the water lines and cause flooding or make an existing flood even worse. This will also prevent contaminated water from entering your plumbing system.

Make Plans for Patio Furniture, Other Outdoor Items and Container Plants

Now is the time to walk around your property and take note of items that will need to be moved indoors or secured in place should a hurricane approach – such as patio furniture, grills, container plants and garden statuary. Look for any object that could be picked up by high winds and become a projectile that crashes through windows, your screen pool enclosure, etc.

As our blog post – “Hurricane Season Is Here! Is Your Yard Ready?” – notes, you don’t want to wait until a hurricane is imminent before deciding where such objects should be moved to protect them! If you won’t be able to bring potted plants indoors, cluster them next to an exterior wall and tie them together. If you have an outdoor grill, bring the grill indoors, but leave the propane tank outside, chained in an upright position to a solid object or structure.

Some items – such as garden statuary – may be too heavy to pick up, yet could still become a projectile in hurricane-force winds. If an object requires being put on a hand truck or dolly and needs two people to move it, consider locating it to a protected area now. The help you’ll need to do the heavy lifting may not be available when the hurricane warning comes.

Also realize that a screen pool enclosure is not a protected area. A category 1 hurricane packs sustained winds of 74 to 95 mph, which means a screen enclosure offers little or no protection to anything inside. The screen panels and frames themselves can be damaged by large, heavy objects – such as patio furniture – thrown against them. To help protect the screen enclosure itself, provide a “vent” for wind to flow through. You also can remove screen panels on opposite sides of the enclosure by pulling out the vinyl spine that holds the panels.

If you find that making such preparations takes a lot of time and effort, you may want to pare down the number of container plants and yard ornaments that decorate your yard. They’re lovely to look at, but it could be worth your while to – as the stylish people say – curate your collection!

Hope for the Best, but Prepare for the Worst! Stay Safe This Hurricane Season!

The anxiety that many Floridians experience during hurricane season is understandable, but being prepared can alleviate a lot of worry. Daniel’s Lawn Service & Pressure Washing specializes in tree services, lawn care services, landscape design, pressure washing and bush hogging. We are licensed and insured, so you can hire us with confidence for all of your yard maintenance needs. We’re located in Lake Mary, serving Longwood, Sanford, Orlando, and the entire Central Florida area. Contact us to help you get ready for hurricane season, and take one more worry off your plate!