How to Prepare the Backyard for a Hurricane

Your home can be damaged by a hurricane, but many times that damage may be as a direct result of ignoring the backyard! Get that backyard prepared well ahead of time and minimize the damage to your home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Trim the trees of dead and weak branches. Trim back those branches that overhang your home and could fall on the roof. Also trim branches that could protrude into a window or door during the violent wind of a hurricane.
2. Reinforce fencing that has become weak or wobbly. Strengthen the posts on the fencing and any gates. Repair any broken sections so the fence will remain intact in the forceful winds of the hurricane.
3. Anchor any outbuildings securely, including garden huts and metal sheds. Make sure the metal shed is in good repair and that all sections of the building are attached. Flying metal during a hurricane is very common and extremely dangerous.
4. Gather all the potted plants and move them to the garage. Pick up any miscellaneous pieces such as wind chimes, bird feeders, birdbaths and statues. Move them into the garage or a protected area so they don't become flying missiles.
5. Move all garden tools into a protected area, such as shovels, rakes and watering cans. Also make sure that lawn mowers and wheelbarrows are moved; they have wheels and can just wheel away in a storm.
6. Bring the barbecue grill into the garage, whether a gas grill or charcoal grill. This will keep the barbecue grill fairly safe so you can use it after the storm, when you'll really need it.
7. Repair any damaged screening over pools or on porches. A repaired screen has a much better chance to survive the storm than an already torn screen, which will probably be the first thing to be damaged.
8. Move patio furniture into the garage or a protected area. If you are lucky enough to own a pool, place the pool furniture and patio furniture directly in the pool.
9. Roll up any bamboo style blinds and secure them at the top. Lock all screen doors, shed doors and garage doors. Pick up entryway carpets and doormats.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your large garbage cans very thoroughly and move them close to the back door of your house. Fill the garbage cans with water and cover them. Attach a "bungee cord" from one handle over the lid to the other handle. The bungee cord will keep the lid on securely and the weight of the water will keep the cans from flying away. The added benefit is you now have more water to use for flushing the toilet or cleaning jobs.

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