Lawn and Garden
HURRICANE SEASON
It’s time to prepare for the 2013 Hurricane Season. This year’s season is expected to have about the same number of named storms as last. According to Professor William Gray and research scientist Philip Kloztbach of Colorado State University, the Atlantic basin can expect 18 named storms, 95 named storm days, nine hurricanes of 111 mile per hour winds and nine major hurricane days. They predict that there is a 72% chance that a major hurricane will hit the U.S. coastline but whether this will be in Florida no one can tell. The best policy is to be prepared.
If you live east of I-95 know your evacuation route. You should also have a hurricane kit prepared that will contain important documents, food, water, medications and other emergency supplies. For more information on local hurricane preparedness you can go to the website: www.sjcemergencymanagement.org.
You should also make a plan to get your landscape hurricane ready. Did you know that flying projectiles are the number one contributor to property damage during a hurricane? Potted plants, lawn furniture, yard art and trash cans can all cause damage once they are wind bourn. Form a mental plan of how you can secure these items should we fall in the path of a major storm.
It is prudent to have dead and diseased limbs pruned from canopy trees prior to hurricane season. You may also have limbs that are near power lines addressed for they may lead to power outages.
If you have a culvert under your driveway make sure it is open and clear of debris. It may also be a good time to check your gutters to make sure they did not get clogged by oak and maple blooms in spring. After the storm, mosquitoes will breed in standing water so make sure you eliminate such potential breeding sites.
Regardless of the number of storm predictions, it only takes one to turn your life upside- down. Be hurricane prepared so you can minimize property damage and reduce the threat to yourself. For more
information go to our website: http://stjohns.ifas.ufl.edu or call 209-0430.
