HURRICANE TIPS & INFORMATION
a special thank you to the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association and
the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers for most of this information

Immediatly before the storm

Secure all loose items. Secure nursery containers, stakes, etc. Tie down anything possible. Loose items become missiles. If the storm can hurl a straw through a 2 x 4, think what it can do with nursery stakes. Secure all equipment in an area not likely to be damaged.

Lay down plant material. Winds in excess of 100 mph will strip foliage from plant materials. Plants may be blown down anyway, so they may survive better if you lay them parallel to the expected wind direction. Water plants fully prior to a storm.

Have emergency numbers. Make sure you have the numbers of your crop and property insurance agents, USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, local police, fire and other emergency contacts.

Inventory your plants and equipment. This will help in the event you need to file a claim or determine the damage you have. Also, it will allow recovery of some lost items. Consolidate the serial numbers on your equipment

Establish a means to communicate with your employees. Your employees will need to know what you expect of them after the storm. Do you want them to come to work, to call you, or stay with their families? Communications may be disrupted for days. Make your plan before a storm strikes. Allow time for your employees to secure their homes prior to a storm.

Allow plenty of time to get prepared. Do not run short of time and risk not getting everything done you need.