Baton Rouge Landscape Service: Landscaping After a Storm

Hurricanes and strong storms can bring devastating damage to homes and properties. If you’ve ever gone through debris cleanup after a storm, you already know that there are several steps you need to take to ensure that your home and property are safely and effectively restored. If you’ve never experienced an after-storm cleanup, we’re here to help you prepare early.

Post Storm Psychology

There is a lot of Psychology involved in post storm cleanup as we, as population, want to get back to a state of normalcy as much as humanly possible. Our lives have come to an abrupt halt and luxuries we take for granted daily, temporarily cease to exist such as electricity, a/c, or even hot meals. There is little we, on an individual scale, can control over all but one thing that all can control is the cleanup of their own property should they be capable. Getting your yard cleaned up of fallen limbs, debris, piles of leaves, and even mowing the yard helps us to regain some control on an uncontrollable situation. It helps to allow us to put the storm and chaos and damage it caused behind us and give us hope in returning to a normal state in the days/weeks to come.

What should I do first when cleaning up my yard after a hurricane?

Storm damage can be unpredictable, so it is crucial that you assess the damage before cleaning up. There could be downed lines and live wires that make your property unsafe and potentially deadly. Broken branches on trees can potentially fall during the cleanup, so be sure to inspect any trees on your property to avoid injury. Finally, you never know what you may find during the cleanup, so wearing a good pair of gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects is necessary.

How do I correct drainage and erosion issues after a storm?

Strong winds and heavy rain can lead to erosion or standing water in your yard. Some erosion problems may need to be addressed and corrected by a professional. Shifting soil can impact the support of your patio or other structure, making them unstable. Due to possible water contamination, it is also best to have a professional assess any floodwaters on your property before attempting to drain it or clean it up. If you have an area of your yard that frequently floods, even without torrential rain, planting shrubs or plants that require heavy watering can save you a headache in the future.

How do I clean up yard debris after a hurricane?

Once you’ve determined that it is safe and sanitary to begin restoring your property, you will need to remove debris. Start small with twigs and leaves and work up from there to the larger branches or bushes. Though some plants and trees may drop all their leaves in an attempt to cope with stress from wind damage or flooding, many will recover with time. Be sure to consult with a pro on whether or not a plant is truly dead or irreparably damaged before removing it.

How should I handle fallen and damaged trees after severe weather?

Not all damaged trees will need to be cut down after a storm, but trees that have been knocked down due to high winds or severely damaged may need to be removed from the property. Because storm-damaged trees can behave arbitrarily, you’ll want to have a professional remove large trees and grind out the stumps. If you feel that you can handle some of the smaller trees on your own, be sure to work safely, and keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance may not cover any damage you cause yourself. It may be best to have a professional team handle the trees. Above all else, if you choose to do your own tree cleanup, a good set of chain saw chaps, face shield or safety glasses and a thick set of leather gloves should always be worn no matter how experience you may be. Unlike plants, humans have not figured out how to regrow an appendage once severed!

We sincerely hope that all of our clients experience little or no damage during a destructive storm. In the event that you do, and you need assistance with restoring your property, our experts are here to help you through the process. If you find yourself in need of yard or property restoration, we are always here to meet and do a site assessment to get a plan of action for restoring your yard/landscape back to its original, if not better, condition.