To all of the pond owners that are in the path of a hurricane, our thoughts are with you. Having lived thru a few big hurricanes, here are some things we've learned regarding preparing your pond for a storm:
Finally, be safe. The next few months might be a challenge. We can't control mother nature, but we can do our best to minimize the impact of extreme weather events.
- Lower the water levels. With all the rain, this lessens the risk of losing fish due to a flood.
- Remove skimmer lids. Heavy winds can blow them away, possibly causing damage to windows.
- Disassemble any fiberglass urns, or make sure they have plenty of gravel inside. These light weight fountains are a blessing, but they need added weight to stay in place during intense wind.
- Cover any GFI outlets. Maintain separation of water and electricity!
- Consider removing cherished potted plants. You can put them in a bucket or kiddie pool in the garage until the storm has passed, the big risk to them is damage from intense wind.
- If you are in a flood zone, remove fish to a holding tank on higher ground. If flood waters cover the pond, it is entirely possible that the fish may just swim away.
- Have a back-up aerator on hand. In the event of a power-outage, this can be connected to a gas-powered generator to supply oxygen to your pond. During an emergency, when every watt of electricity is crucial, an aerator is a wise choice; it will use less electricity than your pond pump.
- Clean out any debris from the pond.
- In case of a power outage, be prepared with a generator to run the pump/aerator and prevent fish loss due to low oxygen.
- Check the pond for damage. There will probably plant damage, and possibly liner tears from falling tree limbs, lost fish, shifted rocks, and broken accessories.
Finally, be safe. The next few months might be a challenge. We can't control mother nature, but we can do our best to minimize the impact of extreme weather events.
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