Storm Watch: Your 72-Hour Hurricane Readiness Playbook

A tropical system off the coast can turn from a minor blip on the radar into a big problem real fast. Waiting until the storm pushes inland will leave you scrambling alongside everyone else at the store.

Securing your business goes way beyond tossing your tools into a trailer. You have to anchor your heavy equipment and secure your active job sites. Most importantly, you need to have your cleanup gear ready to roll the second the storm passes.

When the forecast turns ugly, here's how to manage the clock.
 

72 Hours Out: Locking Down Materials and Gear
 

Track the forecast model early. Once your area falls inside the projected cone of uncertainty, shift your operations from routine installation to proactive site preservation.

Clear Drainage Pathways
Inspect active job sites and clear retention basins, storm drains, and culverts. Heavy runoff carrying loose soil or uninstalled turf into drainage systems leads to immediate site flooding and costly rework.

Lock Down Staged Materials
Uncapped paver pallets, loose mulch, and stacked irrigation piping become airborne hazards in high winds. Restrap open pallets, move light materials into enclosed trailers, or anchor bulk supplies with heavy-duty tarps.

Stock Recovery Gear Early
Beat the emergency rush at local suppliers. Load up on essential cleanup supplies, including commercial water pumps, replacement chainsaw chains, heavy-duty trash bags, tarps, and fuel containers before branches close for storm prep.
 

48 Hours Out: Vehicles and Equipment
 

With two days out, your main job is to ensure your equipment and trucks aren't damaged or flooded.

Pack Recovery Trailers 
Throw a few trailers together with your pumps, generators, chainsaws, and hand tools. That way you can hit the road the second the storm clears without wasting time searching through your warehouse.

Top Off Fuel and Move Small Gear High 
Fill up all your gas tanks. Full tanks keep condensation out and make sure you aren't left stranded when power goes down. Get portable generators, pressure washers, and hand tools up off the floor so they don't get ruined if water gets in.

Park Big Equipment in Safe Spots 
Move skid steers, excavators, and mowers away from large trees, low spots, and power lines. Drop all arms, buckets, and attachments flat to the ground, set the parking brakes, and lock the tracks.
 

24 Hours Out: Locking Down Sites and Wrapping Up
 

The day before impact is about protecting your business and your people. Wrap up physical site work early so everyone has time to secure their own homes and families.

Document Active Jobsites 
Send someone through every site to take photos of completed work, hardscapes, and existing structures. Upload everything to the cloud so you've got proof if you need to file an insurance claim or handle client questions later.

Secure Your Shop 
Shut off the main water line, unplug electronics you don't need, and check window and door seals before you lock up.

Confirm Team Contacts 
Double-check phone numbers, emergency plans, and meeting spots. Set a clear timeline for when everyone checks in with you after the storm passes.
 

Post-Storm Operations: Leading the Recovery Effort
 

Once the local authorities give the all-clear, you'll want to move straight into cleanup mode. Make sure your team has proper gear, such as safety glasses, heavy gloves, and boots, before sending them out to check job sites. Having those pre-storm photos on hand makes it easy to spot damage, clear blocked driveways, stabilize fallen trees, and provide your clients with fast, accurate estimates.

Taking storm prep seriously keeps your team safe and your job sites in one piece. When the skies clear, you're ready to roll out and take care of your clients.