7/28/2020

Things continue to look different as we make our way through 2020. We’ve already found ourselves in situations that we never imagined we’d have to deal with, and if things weren’t challenging enough before, now it’s time to keep our eyes on the Atlantic for hurricanes that might pop up. Hurricane season is now in full swing, and with how crazy this year has been already, a big storm would be the cherry on top for many people. It’s most likely going to happen eventually; it’s just a matter of when and where. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th, and the predictions for this year call for 16 named storms. There's also a 69% chance for at least one major hurricane to make landfall along U.S. shores, according to the National Weather Service.

As we now find ourselves in the thick of the season, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips on managing your course before and after a storm. I have personally been through several hurricanes during my time in South Florida and Mexico as a golf course superintendent, and I’ve found that one of the best ways to handle the stressful situation is to be over prepared and to over communicate.  I don’t have a month-long supply of food or a bunker under the house, but I do think that taking care of your loved ones and property should come first.

Personal prep for you and your family can help relieve the stress as your facility is ramping up with checklists and meetings. Do it now so you don’t get caught up in the mass hysteria if you end up in the cone.

Here are a few ideas you can use to help your facility weather the storm and bounce back with less stress. In addition to these tips, check with your local and national associations for a storm-prep checklist.

Course preparations heading into the storm:

• Take photos and drone footage of as much of the property as you can, and make copies of the data afterwards. This will be handy for your insurance claims and communication to the membership.
• Apply PGR to all playing surfaces if your budget allows.
• Make a preventative fungicide application on your greens.
• Apply a solid wetting agent that is very good at moving water, like Harrell's HydroMAX® Fleet® 100.
• If you have time, you may want to solid tine the greens to help with water flow (some turf managers recommend).
• Make sure you have some granular fertilizer on hand to help replenish the soil after the flush that is about to happen. Make sure you get it BEFORE the storm, since deliveries after may be affected by storm damage.
• Take a quick inventory of what you have on hand for the next month in chemical storage. It may take longer to get product after the storm, so plan ahead for at least a month of inventory.

Post hurricane:

• Document the property’s conditions after the storm with photo and video (just like you did before) for comparison.
• Start the cleanup process and scout for any disease activity that needs to be addressed.
• If you are near the coast and had storm surge damage, prepare a good slug of gypsum or calcium products to remedy the toxicity of the salt damage.
• With some storms, you can go two weeks without seeing the sun, so having a good foliar program along with a pigment can help with the sunburn effect on the greens afterwards.
• Having a good insecticide on hand to combat worms, ants, mole crickets, etc. will come in handy. Things can get very active after those heavy rains.
• A healthy topdressing can go a long way to help control your mowing heights and get your speeds back.

These are just a few things that can help get you through the storm with less disruption.

Connect with Your Local Harrell's Rep

The weeks after a major storm can seem like an episode of The Twilight Zone, and you’ll come across some unbelievable sights. Just remember, Mother Nature is uncontrollable but can also bring out the best in people during an emergency. Please reach out to your Harrell’s rep and ask for any insights before you head into the eye of the storm. Stay safe everyone!