*Cut any trees that have grown near the house and especially over the roof. Closer to a storm approaching you may not have time to chain saw them back. I just got some Live Oak, jaboticaba, and palms off my roof line. Also don't want rats to be able to get on roof via trees. Most my roof damage in the past has been oak rubbing the shingles and wearing a hole in them. A least once a year i have to cut back these huge live oaks that are over my house.

*Improve drainage. If you lived in your house for awhile you should already know where rain water likes to congregate. I have some dig outs in my yard to channel heavy rain away from the house. Thru time those channels get filled in with yard debris and dirt. Its good to already have water drainage away from the house even in any rain storm.

*Make sure have copy of insurance policy. If you gotta make a claim its nice to have phone numer. although that is all online now.

*Keep extra chlorine around and keep your pool in top shape. Super shock the pool pre hurricane just case lose power. And/or, need to use the pool water to flush your toilets. Also, if lose power, will want to be able to cool off in the pool.

*Don't let any standing water sit around your house. Again, lose power, gotta keep doors open, less mosquito the better.

*Check window shutters and make sure you can get to them and are in working order. I board up if the eye is forecast to get near, and/or 75+ mile winds. It's variable if I put up shutters. If got pre-drilled holes, with alum shutters, and screws to put in.

*Also, it is illegal to fertilizer your yard now. You really don't want to encourage trees to grow now anyway. With the rainy season kicking in there is probably already enough nutrients for the plants. I very rarely use fertizer, if ever at all. I've got a healthy yard right now without it.

Just brainstorming. I'll add any if it comes to me. What did I miss?

I got rid of a big but very healthy laurel oak 4' from the house, eleven years ago. The replacement live oak, farther away, is now at a nice size.

I used to have aluminum storm panels, but then the insurance company wanted galvanized.

Probably not so much in Florida, but around the country applying too much fertilizer is a big problem. Too much can harm the plants.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

Edited: 06/04/2025 at 08:07 PM by Wavewatcher

What is the difference between alum and galvanized? i have no idea.

A good rain dump of a couple inches in an hour or two found some clogs for draining away from the house. I raked and cleared the channels. Early rainy season I don't mind some ponding of water as my Jaboticaba love/need the water, however, in my experience, when we get those 5 inch or more, it can be too late to clear drainage.

Luckily my house is pretty high up and drainage is good. Knock on wood.

Seeing nothing in the long range forecast for tropical storms. Pacific already has some flaring up. Our turn will be soon enough. Prepare now, do the sh*t now, so when the time comes it is easier. Inspect roofs for any loose material. Make sure no holes rats can get in. Also, with the increase of rain, I've noticed carpenter and fire ants are moving to higher ground. That might be a warning that the water table is rising!