Storm Prep: Preventing Pesticide Release Before Disaster Strikes

Simple steps can help protect people, pets, and the environment before severe weather arrives.

Prior to the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA predicted a 55% chance of a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season (NOAA May 21, 2026). However, Floridians know it only takes one storm to cause significant impacts. Tropical systems—and even severe afternoon thunderstorms—can bring damaging winds, heavy rain, and flooding. For homes, farms, and businesses that use and store pesticides, severe weather can damage containers and storage areas, increasing the risk of spills, contamination, and exposure. Fortunately, taking just a few simple steps to prevent pesticide release before storms arrive will help to protect people, pets, livestock, wildlife, and the environment.

NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook summary from May 2026. Showing hurricane prediction numbers for the 2026 season. — NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook summary. Image credit: NOAA.

Proper Preparation Prevents Pesticide Pollution

These may not be the five P’s you’re familiar with, but they offer a simple reminder of why storm preparation matters when it comes to pesticide storage.

Understandably, when a major hurricane is bearing down, the last thing on most Floridians’ minds is their garage, shed, or barn full of pesticides or lawn chemicals. Protecting homes, businesses, families, and pets is the priority. However, after damaging winds or heavy rain, pesticide spills can slow emergency response and cleanup efforts and pose health risks to people, pets, and the environment.

Man in a turquoise shirt walking down a road flooded after a severe weather event. — Man walking on a flooded road.

A greenhouse is severely damaged during a severe weather event, showing walls and ceiling caved it from high winds. — Tornado damage from Hurricane Milton at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center. Photo taken 10-15-24.

Minimizing Risk

Storm season or not, proper pesticide storage is important whether you are a homeowner, farmer, or operator of a large-scale pesticide storage or use facility. The scope of preparation and potential impact will vary depending on the quantity and types of pesticides being stored. The following sections offer simple, practical steps to prevent pesticide release and minimize the risk of exposure during severe weather events.

Homeowner Tips

Keep all pesticides in their properly labeled containers.
Store pesticide bottles and jugs in plastic totes to contain spills or leaks from punctured containers.
Keep dry products off the floor and out of standing water.
Cover windows and doors to the garage or shed, and secure tarps to shield products from wind and rain.

A secured storage facility showing pesticide containers neatly arranged on storage racks and secondary containment. — Secured storage of agriculture-based pesticides and fertilizers. Photo taken 02-28-23

Large-scale Pesticide Storage and Use Facilities

Properly dispose of any expired, unlabeled, or unusable pesticides.
- Check your area for any Operation Cleansweep events
Make a list of all pesticides and other hazardous chemicals stored at the facility.
Create a binder with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every item on the list.
Keep all pesticides in their properly labeled containers.
Notify your local fire department and HazMat teams in advance about the type of pesticides and quantities stored at the facility.
Use National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-compliant signage to alert responders to hazards they may come across.
Use pallets or shelving to keep dry products off the floor and out of standing water.
Store pesticides in or on secondary containment to prevent spills and leaks from spreading.
Remove pesticides from vehicles; park them inside, if possible.
Cover windows and doors and secure tarps over any outside storage areas to limit wind and rain damage.

A NFPA diamond used as a visual hazard system by emergency responders.

A large yellow and black secondary containment unit used to contain pesticide spills and leaks. — A large secondary containment unit.

Simple Steps, Safer Cleanup

Despite all these efforts, no amount of preparation can eliminate every storm-related risk, but prior planning can reduce the chance of pesticide spills, contamination, and exposure. Whether you store a few household products or manage a larger pesticide inventory, take time now to review pesticide storage areas, secure containers, elevate products away from possible floodwater, and keep emergency information easy to access. These simple steps can make cleanup safer and help protect people, pets, livestock, wildlife, and the environment after severe weather.

A secured pesticide storage shed showing roof damage as a result of hurricane winds. — Damage to UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center Suwanee Valley (NFREC-SV) from Hurricane Idalia. Photo taken 08-31-23.

A large warehouse structure damaged by wind and severe flooding event. — Flooding damage to a large warehouse structure.

Learn More

For additional guidance, visit these UF/IFAS resources: