We’re already in the thick of hurricane season. Florida’s season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th, and August through October is historically its most active and dangerous stretch. If your commercial property hasn’t been storm-hardened yet, don’t wait for a named system to show up on the forecast — the steps below can still be completed now, and they make a real difference when the wind starts to blow.
Tree & Canopy Pruning
Overgrown or weak limbs are one of the biggest risks during a storm. Thinning dense canopies allows wind to pass through more easily, reducing the chance of broken branches and uprooted trees. Removing dead or damaged wood now protects both your property and the people who use it.
With the season already underway, prioritize the trees closest to buildings, parking areas, and walkways first — those are the limbs that do the most damage when they come down. Look for co-dominant trunks, cracked or hanging branches, and canopies that have grown into rooflines or power lines. A certified crew can typically clear a property’s highest-risk trees in a single visit.
According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, properly pruned and structurally sound trees are far more likely to survive high winds than those left unmanaged. One important caution: avoid “hurricane cuts” or over-lifting palms — stripping a palm down to a few fronds actually weakens it and makes storm failure more likely.
Drainage & Standing Water
Heavy rainfall and storm surge can quickly overwhelm a property with poor drainage — and this time of year, afternoon downpours give you a preview of exactly where water will collect. Walk the property after the next heavy rain and note any ponding, soggy turf, or water sheeting across pavement. Those are the spots a tropical system will exploit.
Clear out drains, swales, and catch basins now, and check that grading still directs water away from buildings and walkways. Make sure gutter downspouts discharge onto stable, well-drained surfaces rather than into planting beds. Addressing low spots before the next storm helps prevent flooding, erosion, root rot, and long-term plant damage.
Secure Loose Materials
Mulch, decorative stone, planters, trash receptacles, signage, and site furnishings can all become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Because we’re already in the active part of the season, this is the week to do a full walk-through: inventory everything on the property that isn’t anchored, decide what gets moved indoors and what gets strapped down, and write it into a simple pre-storm checklist.
When a watch or warning is issued, there won’t be time to figure this out from scratch — crews will be stretched thin and supplies will be scarce. A property with a rehearsed plan can be secured in hours instead of days. Assign responsibility now so everyone knows who handles what when a storm approaches.
Plant Health & Resilience
Healthy, well-established plants stand up to storms far better than stressed ones. Keep up with proper irrigation, fertilization, and pest monitoring through the rest of the season so your landscape stays as strong as possible during its peak.
Midsummer heat and humidity also bring fungal disease and insect pressure that quietly weaken turf and shrubs right when they need to be at their toughest. Regular monitoring catches these problems early. And after any storm passes, act quickly: stand re-plantable trees back up within a day or two, flush salt-affected areas with fresh water, and remove debris before it smothers turf.
Don’t Wait for the Cone
The most expensive storm damage we see is usually the kind that was preventable in the weeks before landfall. With the heart of the season upon us, a storm-readiness assessment now is one of the best investments a property manager can make.
For more information or to schedule a storm-readiness assessment of your property, visit our Contact Us page to speak with a professional today.
Header photo: flossyflotsam via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
