Tag: hurricanes

Palm fronds.

Preparing Palms for Hurricane Season in Central Florida

by Julia Sirchia
May 14, 2026

We are officially in hurricane season! On top of the hurricane preparations we have all become accustomed to, there are some common landscaping mistakes that contribute to damage during a storm. Let’s talk about what to do and not to do when ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Garden, Gardening, Gardens, Horticulture, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Hurricanes, Landscape, Landscape Hurricane Protection, Landscaping, Palm, Palm Pruning, Tree Safety

Hurricane Preparation for Gardens

by Julia Sirchia
May 14, 2026

Florida's summer season is great for beach days, hikes, and visiting your favorite theme park. But let's not forget, we are officially in hurricane season. The weather during this time can be a challenging time for gardeners and landscapers. ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Arborist, Garden Pruning, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Hurricanes, Landscape Hurricane Protection, Proper Pruning, Proper Tree Pruning, Tree Health, Tree Safety, Yard Safety

How nature can protect us from natural disasters

by Kassidy House
May 13, 2026

Ecosystem Services Did you know that our beautiful Florida environment can protect us from natural disasters? These ecosystem services, or contributions that the environment provides for human well-being, are crucial during our times of ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources
Tags: Conservation, Corals, Disaster, Disasters, Ecosystem Services, Environment, Erosion, Forests, Hurricanes, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Storm, Water, Wetlands
A partially flooded agricultural field with rows of green plants.

UF scientists to develop AI technology to help growers assess crop damage after hurricanes

by Brad Buck
May 11, 2026

Imagine using a generative AI platform similar to ChatGPT to get crop-damage information after a hurricane. That’s what University of Florida artificial intelligence (AI) scientist Nikolaos Tziolas plans to provide to farmers statewide. With ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops
Tags: Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Computers, Crop Damage, Damage Assessment, Generative AI, Hurricanes, Nifa, NIFA Grant, Nikolaos Tziolas, Prec-ag, Recovery, Satellite, Satellite Imagery, Smartphone, Soil, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center, Water
A partially flooded agricultural field with rows of green plants.

Hurricanes can bring crop diseases, but plant clinics help farmers quickly and accurately battle pathogens spread by storms

by Brad Buck
May 11, 2026

Last fall, strawberry fields in the Tampa Bay region and at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) were riddled by colletotrichum crown rot disease, which was spread by winds and rain from Hurricane Milton. The Category ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Crops, Crown Rot, Disease Control, Diseases, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Hurricane Milton, Hurricanes, Kenneth Parker, Marcus Marin, Mathews Paret, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Natalia Peres, North Florida Research And Education Center, Pathogens, Plant Diagnostic Clinic, Plant Diseases, Plant Pathology, Rapid Diagnosis, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center, Soybean Rust, Strawberries, Tropical Research And Education Center
A large fallen tree with Spanish moss hanging from its branches in a grassy area.

Prepare your landscape and trees for the hurricane season

by Brad Buck
May 11, 2026

Given the damaging impacts of hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year, you may want to prepare your landscape and trees for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season – and the sooner the better. “Best management practices include supporting ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: Alyssa Vinson, Arborist, Bird Feeders, Claire Lewis, Damage, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Furniture, Gutters, Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Hurricanes, Irrigation, Landscapes, Lynn Barber, Pruning, Soil, Trees
Hands holding ripe red strawberries above green strawberry plants.

Following Hurricane Milton, Florida growers show resilience in ensuring fresh Florida strawberries are available this season

by Brad Buck
May 11, 2026

Florida strawberry growers are a resilient bunch. They’ve survived the back-to-back punches from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through hard work and efficient problem-solving, they have planted the fruits you’ll enjoy from December through ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: Cultivars, Disease Resistance, Ember, Encore, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Hurricane Milton, Hurricanes, Kenneth Parker, Phytophthora Root Rot, Resilience, Strawberries, Strawberry Breeding, Strawberry Growers, Vance Whitaker
A green hose inserted into a manhole opening surrounded by grass and soil.

UF expert: While hurricanes are on your mind, get your septic system inspected

by Brad Buck
May 11, 2026

Hurricanes Helene and Milton left many homeowners with flooded septic tanks. To make sure your system is ready for future storms, a University of Florida scientist has suggestions for you. “If you are one of those homeowners with a flooded ... READ MORE

Category: Water
Tags: Drain Field, Flooding, Germs, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Human Waste, Hurricanes, Inspection, Mary Lusk, Septic System, Septic Tank, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Unsaturated Soil

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