See tips from UF/IFAS on all the factors that should be considered in your hurricane plan as the start of Hurricane Season approaches.

June 1st marks the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and it just might be a doozy. Many weather and climate related groups have predicted an above-average season. In a Citrus Industry article, AccuWeather was quoted as forecasting a “’super-charged’ season with record-breaking potential.” The article shares information on creating a hurricane plan for citrus growers, though the advice is good for anyone in the Florida citrus industry. See the advice below.

What to Include in Your Hurricane Plan

The article shared these factors that should be a part of your hurricane plan:

“Personnel assignments: A major part of the hurricane plan is ensuring that all managers know their responsibilities prior to, during and after a hurricane. Make a list of all tasks that will need to be performed so there are no last-minute, unanticipated gaps to plug. Identify and maintain an updated list of the members of a damage-inspection team, which will determine where storm damage occurred and how extensive it is. Make sure each team member knows his or her responsibilities. Specific workers should be assigned to fix ditches, prop up trees, fix roadways and perform other tasks after the storm. Make sure you know how to contact workers at their place of safety, and that they have a way to call in after the storm.

Chris Oswalt, UF/IFAS citrus Extension agent covering Polk and Hillsborough counties, says personnel assignments are particularly important in preparing for a storm. “’I would suggest as a group practicing a hurricane drill to run through the mechanics of the assignments, including safety training,’ he says.”

Safety training: Workers should be trained in the safe operation of unfamiliar equipment that they may have to use if a hurricane hits. For instance, drivers may wind up using chain saws to remove a downed tree that is blocking a road.

Liquid tanks: Tanks containing fuel, fertilizer and other materials should be kept full, so they do not move in the wind and rain and to ensure that sufficient fuel is available for machinery used in recovery efforts after the storm.

Ditches: Ditches should be kept clean and pumped down to help maximize water-removal efforts after the storm.

Cultural practices: Trees should be pruned regularly to reduce broken limbs and minimize toppled or uprooted trees. Windbreaks can also reduce tree damage and the spread of citrus canker.

Emergency equipment: Make sure that all emergency equipment — including generators, chain saws, torches and air compressors — is on hand and in good repair. Emergency generators should be available for use in headquarters and equipment maintenance shops. Large diesel-powered generators with 25-to-60-kilowatt capacity can be rented or leased by the month during the hurricane season.

Communications equipment: Ensure that radios are in good working order. Have handheld portable radios with extra charged battery packs available for workers who will need them in the field after the storm. Direct truck-to-truck radio communication is most reliable when phone lines are down. However, cellular phones with radio capabilities and standard cellular phones can help workers save valuable time during the recovery process, as opposed to communication systems that require messages to be relayed through a base unit.

Hazardous materials: Hazardous materials should be secured prior to a storm, and gasoline pumps should be shut down.

Emergency contacts: Have a list of phone numbers you might need in an emergency, including those for the phone and electric companies, sheriff and medical facilities.”

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.