Us Hampton Roadians (can I call us that?) are no strangers to hurricane preparations. We know how important it is to be prepared ahead of time with water, canned goods, batteries, flashlights and other items to keep us safe inside the home. But what about outside the house? Now – while the sky is blue – is the time to take a look at your yard to make sure it’s ready for future storms. Here are a few tips:
- Cut back trees and remove any weak or dead branches that could pose a threat to your (or your neighbor’s) home. Consider hiring a certified arborist who can evaluate the health of your trees and suggest ways to trim them back while keeping them alive and well.
- Maintain drainage structures on your property such as ditches, drains or retention ponds by keeping them free of debris and weeds. You can also contact your local Public Works Department for additional guidance.
- Store hazardous materials properly and make sure they’re secure and sheltered before a storm hits. High winds and flooding can easily carry things like motor oil, gasoline and other chemicals from your back porch and into the storm drain.
- Make sure you have a way to secure all loose items in your back yard. Don’t wait until the day before a hurricane to realize you have no place to put those lawn chairs!
You may also consider mentioning these facts to your neighbors or offering to help them prepare their yards. Just because the tree isn’t in your yard doesn’t mean the dead branches won’t come through your window! Debris knows no property lines.