Quick answer: A good hurricane prep checklist for your yard starts before June 1: trim dead branches and loose palm fronds, clear out loose junk that could become a projectile, clean your gutters, and clear the garage so your car fits inside. Get the debris hauled away early in the season, not when a storm is already in the forecast. For evacuation zones and official storm guidance, follow your county's emergency management office.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Living in Pasco County, Pinellas, or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, you know the drill: the week a storm shows up in the forecast, everyone is scrambling for plywood, water, and gas.
The yard work is the part you can get ahead of. It takes time, it makes a mess, and it's much easier in May than the day before landfall.
This checklist covers the yard and home cleanup side of prep. It's not a substitute for official guidance. For evacuation zones, shelters, and storm updates, follow Pasco County Emergency Management or the emergency management office for your county.
Your Hurricane Prep Checklist
Print it, screenshot it, or work through it over a couple of weekends in May.
Trees and landscaping
- Remove dead or broken branches from every tree
- Trim limbs hanging over the roof, driveway, and power lines (call a pro for the last one)
- Cut off brown or loose palm fronds
- Pull out dead shrubs and overgrown hedges
- Haul away cut branches instead of piling them by the fence
Loose junk and outdoor items
- Get rid of broken patio furniture, old grills, and rusted equipment
- Clear out scrap lumber, old fencing, and leftover project materials
- Decide where you'll store the furniture, planters, and decor you're keeping
- Toss old toys, kiddie pools, and anything you won't bring inside
Gutters and drainage
- Clean leaves and debris out of gutters and downspouts
- Make sure downspouts drain away from the house
- Clear storm drains and swales near your property of leaves and debris
Garage and storage
- Clear enough space to park your car inside
- Make room for patio furniture and outdoor items
- Sort and remove junk that's been piling up
Before a storm is forecast
- Get all debris and junk hauled away
- Know your evacuation zone (check with county emergency management)
Trim Trees and Clear Dead Branches
High wind turns weak branches into hazards. Dead limbs break off easily, and branches hanging over the roof can puncture shingles or damage a lanai screen.
Walk your property and look for:
- Dead wood. Brittle, bare, or bark-less branches.
- Limbs over the house. Especially big oak branches.
- Brown, hanging palm fronds. These come off in wind and can fly a long way.
- Cracked or split trunks. If a tree looks unstable, have an arborist take a look.
Do the small stuff yourself if you're comfortable. For big trees, anything over the roof, or anything near power lines, hire a licensed tree service. It's not worth a fall or an electrical injury.
Once the trimming's done, the debris has to go somewhere. Don't leave piles of branches sitting in the yard for weeks. See our guide on yard waste disposal in Pasco County for your options.
Clear Loose Junk That Becomes Projectiles
Think about everything in your yard that isn't tied down: broken chairs, a rusted grill, a stack of old fence boards, that trampoline nobody uses. In a strong storm, those can end up through a window, yours or your neighbor's.
The fix is simple: get rid of what you don't need, and plan where the rest goes when a storm is coming.
This is a good time for a real cleanout. Most of us have a corner of the yard or the side of the house where old stuff collects. A 10-yard dumpster ($325, 2 tons included) handles most yard-and-junk cleanups. If you're also clearing the garage, the 15-yard ($400, 3 tons included) gives you more room.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters overflow during heavy rain, which can send water toward your foundation and into places it shouldn't be. Florida's oaks and pines drop plenty of leaves and needles, and summer storms dump a lot of rain fast.
Clear the gutters and downspouts, check that the water runs away from the house, and look for loose sections that could pull away in wind. If you're not comfortable on a ladder, hire someone.
Clear the Garage So Your Car Fits
A car in the garage is better protected than one in the driveway. But in a lot of Florida homes, the garage is where boxes, old furniture, and project leftovers go to live.
Spring is the time to fix that. Clearing it out also gives you a place to bring in patio furniture, potted plants, and anything else from the yard when a storm is on the way.
If the job is bigger than a weekend, our garage cleanout service can do the heavy lifting. Or rent a dumpster and do it yourself at your own pace.
When to Get Debris Hauled Before a Storm
Early. That's the whole answer.
Once a storm is in the forecast, everyone has the same idea at the same time. Hauling companies and tree services fill up, and stores run out of supplies. If your trimming and cleanout debris is still sitting in the yard, it's now part of the problem.
A good plan:
- April and May: Trim, clean out, and get everything hauled away.
- June through November: Keep up with small trimming and fronds so piles don't build up again.
- If a storm is forecast: Bring in outdoor items, follow county guidance, and don't put new debris at the curb. Pickups may be suspended before and right after a storm.
After a storm, counties often run separate storm debris collection with specific sorting and placement rules. Follow your county's instructions on what goes to the curb and when.
Need Help With Your Hurricane Prep Cleanup?
A dumpster rental lets you work through trimming and cleanouts at your own pace. If you'd rather have a crew load it for you, our junk removal and yard waste removal services are priced per job after you send a description or photos.
Call or text (727) 317-6717, or check flat rates on our pricing page. We serve New Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, and communities across Tampa Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hurricane season start in Florida?
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The best time to prep your yard is in the weeks before June 1, before storms are in the forecast.
Should I trim my trees before hurricane season?
Yes. Removing dead branches, limbs over the roof, and loose palm fronds reduces what can break off in high wind. Hire a licensed tree service for large trees or anything near power lines.
When should I get yard debris hauled away?
Well before a storm is forecast. Piles of branches and junk left in the yard can become projectiles, and pickups get busy once a storm is on the way. Get it gone early in the season.
Where can I find official hurricane guidance for Pasco County?
Pasco County Emergency Management is the place to go for evacuation zones, shelters, sandbag locations, and storm updates. Neighboring counties have their own emergency management offices.
