View Full Version : Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane
ladyflyfsh
08-02-2011, 07:46 PM
I live in Sarasota, FL and this is my first year living here. My Musa Namwah is about 8' tall right now and looking great but there is a new storm brewing in the Atlantic (Emily). I am so new to this I have no idea if there is anything you can do to prepare a banana plant for a tropical storm with high winds. Is there anything I should do to get ready if it decides to head this way? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Nicolas Naranja
08-02-2011, 07:55 PM
My experience with dwarf namwahs is that they can handle quite a bit of wind as long as they haven't bunched. You start to lose the tall varieties at 30-35, and the dwarfs probably at about 60 but only in an exposed situation.
island cassie
08-02-2011, 08:20 PM
If you like your plants to have unmarked unshredded leaves, then you are in for a difficult time. But if you take things as they come and recognise that wind will shred banana leaves (which does them little harm) as us in the islands do, then barring a cat 4 storm, your plants will be ok. But even if the worst happens and your plants blow over - they will shoot again from the base. Not much you or I can do at the moment!
palmtree
08-02-2011, 11:14 PM
I would stock up on extra water take in furniture that could fly away (about 36 hours before the storm). I dont think that its going to be a devestating storm, but keep an eye on it because it could strengthen quickly! It will probably weaken a lot when it goes over Haiti and the Dominican Republic (since its very mountainous), but it will then have a chance to strengthen over the Bahamas as it nears Florida. I dont think it will make landfall in Florida, but it could.
oakshadows
08-03-2011, 09:27 AM
Mary,
Prepare for the worst and watch the storm whenever it is coming your way. We have survived 6 or 7 hurricanes and although none harmed us physically it sure catches your attention. We are now 20 miles inland in central Florida and are set pretty much up to 140 mph winds, if it sounds like it will be worse we will head for high ground. If you have never enjoyed 100 mph winds they are quite impressive. Prepare your pantry ahead and store as much water as you can. Water is the most important since it may not be available if a storm hits. Run if you have to, bananas will grow back.
ladyflyfsh
08-03-2011, 09:37 AM
ok..good advise...thanks everyone!
oakshadows
08-03-2011, 04:53 PM
Better advise, talk to neighbors, get a good weather radio, stay in touch with all of yours and prepare for the worst. Most of the time it doesn't happen and you will get to enjoy some of what Florida is about. Many dislike the storms but they forget that we need the water that they bring and although some go somewhat farther than we like, they have their purpose. By the way, how are the stonecrabs this year. Had one of our best crab trips down there a while back.
MediaHound
08-03-2011, 05:01 PM
De-leaf it, might help it from snapping.
island cassie
08-03-2011, 07:21 PM
Yes Jarred - if the storm is imminant and you KNOW it is coming your way, then by all means trim the leaves. Emily (such a sweet name) has changed course enough to miss us again, with just the warning that we might get 6-12 inches of rain overnight - perhaps 20 inches in some places. And Noah, we had already stocked up on the 3 D's - drinking water, dog food and diesel (for the generator) and rum of course!!! I feel agrieved that we have been denied the chance of a hurricane beach party yet again - haven't had one since the epic party for Ike a few years ago. But the season is still young........
MediaHound
08-03-2011, 07:40 PM
Yes thats definately a last resort, only go out there and do it with the wind beating you in the face and rain coming hitting you sideways, lol. Been there done that quite a few times, haha! Enjoy the hurricane parties Cassie! Stay safe, will ya!
fishoifc
08-04-2011, 07:37 AM
i tried a few things tha last couple storm seasons,trimming leaves helped alot the stems were almost bare after hard winds and many were twisted at the top.They didnt look good but grew back quick. The best results I had was a large Black thai I dug around the rootball and removed some dirt from what I was guessing would be lee side of the heavy wind and tipped it over. After the storm it was still perfect and its growth was like it never happened.
oakshadows
08-04-2011, 08:04 AM
Yes Jarred - if the storm is imminant and you KNOW it is coming your way, then by all means trim the leaves. Emily (such a sweet name) has changed course enough to miss us again, with just the warning that we might get 6-12 inches of rain overnight - perhaps 20 inches in some places. And Noah, we had already stocked up on the 3 D's - drinking water, dog food and diesel (for the generator) and rum of course!!! I feel agrieved that we have been denied the chance of a hurricane beach party yet again - haven't had one since the epic party for Ike a few years ago. But the season is still young........
Been to too many hurricane parties, just a good rain party would be better but you must enjoy those quite often.
Was that yacht you are afloat in very expensive? HA HA Since we left Key West we have become landlovers and am enjoying it very well. Take care.
cherokee_greg
08-04-2011, 08:55 AM
check out this link it came in one of my news letters
Hurricane Safety Tips (http://landscaping.about.com/cs/cheaplandscaping1/a/hurricane_prep.htm?nl=1)
ladyflyfsh
08-04-2011, 10:58 AM
Thanks everyone...I am hoping for plenty of rain, we can use it but I'll be happy if we are spared the high winds! My yard looks so great right now I'd hate to see things shredded but I'll keep a close eye out and if I have to, I might give the naners a leaf cut.
island cassie
08-05-2011, 05:02 PM
Fishoifc's boat was probably very expensive - my ocean-gowing rig is a tad cheaper!!:ha:
fishoifc
08-05-2011, 05:42 PM
Fishoifc's boat was probably very expensive - my ocean-gowing rig is a tad cheaper!!:ha:
Hi island cassie looks like I will be spending a couple of months on your island,think we are going to tie up in Cap Cana for march and april is that near you? hope to catch a few and see the beautiful country and of course lots of banana plants.
island cassie
08-05-2011, 09:49 PM
Cap Cana is about a 7 hour drive from here. My husband Jim has done quite a bit of sailboat racing out of there in the past before they stopped it. Nice location but not very representative of the rest of the DR - hope you have a great time!
ladyflyfsh
08-06-2011, 12:13 PM
Well it's looking like we won't even get a little rain out of that storm. Oh well...we are dry here! I wouldn't mind a few small storms at this point....sunny and hot...isn't this supposed to be the rainy season???
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