Storm-proofing your home
The Associated Press delivers this helpful report (a little too late for some of us, though). Give 'er a read, then shout back with any other helpful tips.
--j.
PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY CAN REDUCE STORM DAMAGE
By Dean Fosdick
The Associated Press
Effective storm proofing borrows a page from football: Offense is the best defense.
A little well-timed prevention goes a long way toward reducing weather-related damage.
And landscaping is the place to start. Although many tasks are storm-specific, some pruning, raking, planting and picking up will save property owners big bucks when any kind of gale blows through.
"It's all about the plants," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson of Tallahassee, Fla., president and chief executive officer of FLASH, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
"One of the most meaningful things we can do is change the landscape, no matter what we're facing. That will make a big difference."
Trees and drainage always play a role. Take a long, slow walk around your property. Notice how rainwater flows through the yard. Ensure that any runoff moves well away from the house, to prevent a damaged foundation or flooded basement. Add berms and rain gardens where needed.
Prune any overhanging or damaged tree limbs that might cause trouble in high winds.
If the threat is wildfires, remove portential organic fuels from around the house: Shop around for weather-resistant landscape materials, such as pebble mulches and succulents, plants that retain water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots.
"You can do some basic things to keep costs down," Chapman-Henderson said. "Get the neighbors together and involved."
Prioritize. Take on the biggest projects well before any storm watches are posted.
"A distressing number of homes have had trees fall through them over the past few years, so have them inspected," said Dan Gill, a horticulturist with Louisiana State University's AgCenter. "If there's any question about a tree leaning too much, or branches too close to the house, get them taken care of."
Large trees can fall on your neighbor's property, too, so include that on any potential hazards' list, Gill said.
"Smaller trees as a group hold up better in storms, particularly hurricanes," Gill said. "Hurricane winds generally are stronger higher off the ground. I encourage people to use smaller species closer to their homes and taller trees farther away so if they do drop branches or go over, there's less damage."
Continue your yard maintenance as the storm approaches.
"Batten down the hatches, landscape wise," Gill said. "Gather up your birdbaths, birdfeeders, doghouses, garden art and children's play equipment. These things can become projectiles — major issues — once winds start hitting 100 miles an hour or more. Store them in the garage."
Anyone growing edible crops should harvest what they can, even if they aren't completely ripe.
"There won't be much left after a storm moves through," Gill said. "Anytime produce is touched by floodwater, whether it's a storm surge or water off the street, discard it. It may be contaminated."
Make a list of things that will have to be tied down, brought inside or otherwise dealt with in case of a severe storm. "Then buy the necessary equipment, including the anchors or tie-downs, now," he said.
Some other Gill-recommended pre-storm chores:
- Store pesticides and motor fuels in secure areas and higher than any potential floodwaters. You don't need chemicals and toxins coating your lawn, trees and plants.
- Aquatic gardens need attention. Potted plants resting on bricks or blocks to keep them above the water should be set on the bottom of the pond until the gales pass. Transfer expensive fish inside, and in water taken from the pond.
- Secure fountains and statuary. Unplug any that require electrical power and coil up and remove the cords.
- Water all indoor plants if you intend to evacuate.
- Drag out your garden hose and spray plants, grass and ornamentals that were covered by saltwater during the storm. Rake up any sediment that collected on shrubs and lawns.Weather and storm conditions vary by region so contact your county extension agent for more information, or look for home improvement stores that offer storm-proofing workshops.
"The worst feeling you can get in this business comes from talking with people afterward who tell you they had great landscaping but did all the wrong stuff," Chapman-Henderson said.
"This is stuff you can control."
MORE TIPS
- Flooding: Lawns take a beating from floods. Grass can survive several days under water in early spring, while the ground is still thawing and before growth has begun. But standing water on hot summer days will cause significant damage. Ponding generally occurs in low, poorly drained areas after the high water has receded. Take note of those locations and re-shape them. Reseed or re-sod where the grass has been killed. Quickly and carefully remove any silt dropped by floodwaters.
- Tornadoes: Soften your landscaping. Unless you're in a wildfire-prone zone, replace crushed rock and pebbles used as protective mulch with shredded bark. That could lessen structural damage should it be thrown into the air.
- Wildfires: The amount of cleared space around a home is directly related to the home's ability to survive a wildfire, the Colorado State Forest Service says. Create fire-safe vegetation. Mow grasses low around structures. Plant flowers in widely separated beds. Shrubs can be "ladder fuels," enabling fires to spread, so plant them well away from one another and far from trees. You don't need to clear-cut your property, but prune branches at least 10 feet above the ground and distance trees from structures.
- Hail: Protect prized plants with a shelter or cover. Plants that the hail has stripped of leaves generally will grow back. Plants with pounded stems, however, may not. Wait a few days to see if they appear to be recovering before re-planting or calling it a season. Hail-damaged fruit should be picked and discarded before it rots and attracts insects and other garden pests. Flowers hammered by hail may survive, especially if they're among the varieties that need deadheading.
--j.
PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY CAN REDUCE STORM DAMAGE
By Dean Fosdick
The Associated Press
Effective storm proofing borrows a page from football: Offense is the best defense.
A little well-timed prevention goes a long way toward reducing weather-related damage.
And landscaping is the place to start. Although many tasks are storm-specific, some pruning, raking, planting and picking up will save property owners big bucks when any kind of gale blows through.
"It's all about the plants," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson of Tallahassee, Fla., president and chief executive officer of FLASH, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
"One of the most meaningful things we can do is change the landscape, no matter what we're facing. That will make a big difference."
Trees and drainage always play a role. Take a long, slow walk around your property. Notice how rainwater flows through the yard. Ensure that any runoff moves well away from the house, to prevent a damaged foundation or flooded basement. Add berms and rain gardens where needed.
Prune any overhanging or damaged tree limbs that might cause trouble in high winds.
If the threat is wildfires, remove portential organic fuels from around the house: Shop around for weather-resistant landscape materials, such as pebble mulches and succulents, plants that retain water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots.
"You can do some basic things to keep costs down," Chapman-Henderson said. "Get the neighbors together and involved."
Prioritize. Take on the biggest projects well before any storm watches are posted.
"A distressing number of homes have had trees fall through them over the past few years, so have them inspected," said Dan Gill, a horticulturist with Louisiana State University's AgCenter. "If there's any question about a tree leaning too much, or branches too close to the house, get them taken care of."
Large trees can fall on your neighbor's property, too, so include that on any potential hazards' list, Gill said.
"Smaller trees as a group hold up better in storms, particularly hurricanes," Gill said. "Hurricane winds generally are stronger higher off the ground. I encourage people to use smaller species closer to their homes and taller trees farther away so if they do drop branches or go over, there's less damage."
Continue your yard maintenance as the storm approaches.
"Batten down the hatches, landscape wise," Gill said. "Gather up your birdbaths, birdfeeders, doghouses, garden art and children's play equipment. These things can become projectiles — major issues — once winds start hitting 100 miles an hour or more. Store them in the garage."
Anyone growing edible crops should harvest what they can, even if they aren't completely ripe.
"There won't be much left after a storm moves through," Gill said. "Anytime produce is touched by floodwater, whether it's a storm surge or water off the street, discard it. It may be contaminated."
Make a list of things that will have to be tied down, brought inside or otherwise dealt with in case of a severe storm. "Then buy the necessary equipment, including the anchors or tie-downs, now," he said.
Some other Gill-recommended pre-storm chores:
- Store pesticides and motor fuels in secure areas and higher than any potential floodwaters. You don't need chemicals and toxins coating your lawn, trees and plants.
- Aquatic gardens need attention. Potted plants resting on bricks or blocks to keep them above the water should be set on the bottom of the pond until the gales pass. Transfer expensive fish inside, and in water taken from the pond.
- Secure fountains and statuary. Unplug any that require electrical power and coil up and remove the cords.
- Water all indoor plants if you intend to evacuate.
- Drag out your garden hose and spray plants, grass and ornamentals that were covered by saltwater during the storm. Rake up any sediment that collected on shrubs and lawns.Weather and storm conditions vary by region so contact your county extension agent for more information, or look for home improvement stores that offer storm-proofing workshops.
"The worst feeling you can get in this business comes from talking with people afterward who tell you they had great landscaping but did all the wrong stuff," Chapman-Henderson said.
"This is stuff you can control."
MORE TIPS
- Flooding: Lawns take a beating from floods. Grass can survive several days under water in early spring, while the ground is still thawing and before growth has begun. But standing water on hot summer days will cause significant damage. Ponding generally occurs in low, poorly drained areas after the high water has receded. Take note of those locations and re-shape them. Reseed or re-sod where the grass has been killed. Quickly and carefully remove any silt dropped by floodwaters.
- Tornadoes: Soften your landscaping. Unless you're in a wildfire-prone zone, replace crushed rock and pebbles used as protective mulch with shredded bark. That could lessen structural damage should it be thrown into the air.
- Wildfires: The amount of cleared space around a home is directly related to the home's ability to survive a wildfire, the Colorado State Forest Service says. Create fire-safe vegetation. Mow grasses low around structures. Plant flowers in widely separated beds. Shrubs can be "ladder fuels," enabling fires to spread, so plant them well away from one another and far from trees. You don't need to clear-cut your property, but prune branches at least 10 feet above the ground and distance trees from structures.
- Hail: Protect prized plants with a shelter or cover. Plants that the hail has stripped of leaves generally will grow back. Plants with pounded stems, however, may not. Wait a few days to see if they appear to be recovering before re-planting or calling it a season. Hail-damaged fruit should be picked and discarded before it rots and attracts insects and other garden pests. Flowers hammered by hail may survive, especially if they're among the varieties that need deadheading.
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