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

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

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

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!!

fishoifc · 08-05-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

Fishoifc's boat was probably very expensive - my ocean-gowing rig is a tad cheaper!!

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???

08-02-2011, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
ladyflyfsh ladyflyfsh's Photo Gallery Location: Sarasota, FL Zone: 9-10 Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 30,338 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 67 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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.

08-02-2011, 07:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 552,664 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

08-02-2011, 08:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 498,646 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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!

08-02-2011, 11:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
palmtree palmtree 's Photo Gallery Location: New York City Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: Alex C Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,016 BananaBucks : 123,523 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,492 Times Was Thanked 1,428 Times in 644 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 103 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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. __________________ Location: New York City, zone 7b

08-03-2011, 09:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
oakshadows oakshadows's Photo Gallery Location: Dunnellon, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Noah Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,064 BananaBucks : 44,525 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,207 Times Was Thanked 847 Times in 514 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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. __________________ "What this country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds."

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08-03-2011, 09:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
ladyflyfsh ladyflyfsh's Photo Gallery Location: Sarasota, FL Zone: 9-10 Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 30,338 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 67 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane ok..good advise...thanks everyone!

08-03-2011, 04:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
oakshadows oakshadows's Photo Gallery Location: Dunnellon, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Noah Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,064 BananaBucks : 44,525 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,207 Times Was Thanked 847 Times in 514 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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. __________________ "What this country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds."

08-03-2011, 05:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,273 BananaBucks : 2,394,078 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,882 Times Was Thanked 5,105 Times in 1,359 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,088 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane De-leaf it, might help it from snapping. __________________ Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

08-03-2011, 07:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 498,646 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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........

08-03-2011, 07:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,273 BananaBucks : 2,394,078 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,882 Times Was Thanked 5,105 Times in 1,359 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,088 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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! __________________ Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

08-04-2011, 07:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
fishoifc Marlin time fishoifc's Photo Gallery Location: Nags head N.C. Zone: 8 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 339 BananaBucks : 143,217 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 27 Times Was Thanked 331 Times in 131 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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.

08-04-2011, 08:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
cherokee_greg Love those bananas cherokee_greg's Photo Gallery Location: Fresno,CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 9 Name: Greg Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,357 BananaBucks : 349,134 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 8,066 Times Was Thanked 3,946 Times in 1,665 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 335 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane check out this link it came in one of my news letters Hurricane Safety Tips __________________ Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

08-04-2011, 10:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
ladyflyfsh ladyflyfsh's Photo Gallery Location: Sarasota, FL Zone: 9-10 Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 30,338 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 67 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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.

08-05-2011, 05:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 498,646 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Fishoifc's boat was probably very expensive - my ocean-gowing rig is a tad cheaper!!

08-05-2011, 09:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 498,646 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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!

08-06-2011, 12:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
ladyflyfsh ladyflyfsh's Photo Gallery Location: Sarasota, FL Zone: 9-10 Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 30,338 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 67 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane 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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