Securing Lanai Fan in Anticipation of a Hurricane

[Kzeus]

We’re new to Florida/The Villages & have a pool area including a covered lanai. The section above the pool is screened & the adjacent seating area is covered by a solid roof. All sides surrounding the lanai & pool are enclosed by screens.

Our concern is with the 4 large ceiling fans hanging in the roofed area of the lanai. From the roof to the blades, there is a 4 ft "stem." Even light winds cause the blades to turn. We’re concerned about possible damage during hurricane-force winds.

The previous homeowner mentioned that she would tie a rope to each fan and anchor it to a bucket sitting on the ground below the fan, filled with rocks to limit movement. The fan manufacturer didn’t have recommendations. Our own online research led to two suggestions:

1. Removing the fan blades before each storm
2. Tying the blades together
Neither option seems ideal.

If anyone has ideas on how to safely stabilize large hanging fans during strong winds, we’d truly appreciate your insight. 🙏🏼

[Bill14564]

We don’t do anything with ours. I’ll have to see if we have the 4” extender but I’m pretty sure we do. Been through four or five hurricanes with no problems.

[Kzeus]

We don’t do anything with ours. I’ll have to see if we have the 4” extender but I’m pretty sure we do. Been through four or five hurricanes with no problems.

Thank you. That provides a degree of relief. 🙏🏼

[Bill14564]

You have a four foot stem? Mine might be four inches, certainly not four feet.

I like the bucket idea. A large five gallon bucket filled with water will weigh 40 lbs. Easy to fill right in place with a hose and depending on your lanai, easy to empty by just tipping it over.

[Kzeus]

You have a four foot stem? Mine might be four inches, certainly not four feet.

I like the bucket idea. A large five gallon bucket filled with water will weigh 40 lbs. Easy to fill right in place with a hose and depending on your lanai, easy to empty by just tipping it over.
A good idea, and easier than carrying rocks! Thank you!:BigApplause:

[villagetinker]

Our house, 2013 vintage has 2 ceiling fans (no stem) flush mounted in the screened lanai, and we have been through several hurricanes with no damage to the fans.

[Battlebasset]

My fan blades had not been cleaned in awhile, so I took them off when Milton hit last year. Cleaned them before I put them back on. So if you look at it that way, that's a way to make the best of things.

[Michael G.]

I have a white ceiling fan in a pergola and have been using a bungy cord on the blades attached to the rafters .
From what I been reading here, I just might do nothing from now on.

[Kzeus]

Our house, 2013 vintage has 2 ceiling fans (no stem) flush mounted in the screened lanai, and we have been through several hurricanes with no damage to the fans.

Thank you. We hope for the same.🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

My fan blades had not been cleaned in awhile, so I took them off when Milton hit last year. Cleaned them before I put them back on. So if you look at it that way, that's a way to make the best of things.

Yes, that's a positive way to look at it. Thank you. 🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

We don’t do anything with ours. I’ll have to see if we have the 4” extender but I’m pretty sure we do. Been through four or five hurricanes with no problems.

Thank you. Hopefully we'll experience the same as you have with no issue.🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

I have a white ceiling fan in a pergola and have been using a bungy cord on the blades attached to the rafters .
From what I been reading here, I just might do nothing from now on.

Thank you. It seems that those who have responded have not experienced issues, so we hope there's no need for worry. 🙏🏼

[Arctic Fox]

I know this will elicit numerous angry responses, but a "hurricane" in The Villages is rarely anything remotely resembling a proper hurricane along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts.

Hurricanes gain energy from the heat of the ocean which, as you may have noticed, is not that close to us here. Thus their energy is quickly dissipated when passing over land.

At the slightest hint of a wind above 20mph this forum is filled with posts asking when to evacuate and how many extra toilet rolls they should be buying up (to add to those bought the three previous times, and still stacked up in the garage).

Be prepared, but don't over-react.

[Kzeus]

Our house, 2013 vintage has 2 ceiling fans (no stem) flush mounted in the screened lanai, and we have been through several hurricanes with no damage to the fans.
Thank you for your response.

[Kzeus]

Thank you for your response!

[Kzeus]

Thank you for your reply. ������������

[Kzeus]

I know this will elicit numerous angry responses, but a "hurricane" in The Villages is rarely anything remotely resembling a proper hurricane along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts.

Hurricanes gain energy from the heat of the ocean which, as you may have noticed, is not that close to us here. Thus their energy is quickly dissipated when passing over land.

At the slightest hint of a wind above 20mph this forum is filled with posts asking when to evacuate and how many extra toilet rolls they should be buying up (to add to those bought the three previous times, and still stacked up in the garage).

Be prepared, but don't over-react.

Thank you for putting our minds a bit more at ease. No angry response from us - only gratitude that you took the time to answer. 🙏🏼

[retiredguy123]

I know this will elicit numerous angry responses, but a "hurricane" in The Villages is rarely anything remotely resembling a proper hurricane along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts.

Hurricanes gain energy from the heat of the ocean which, as you may have noticed, is not that close to us here. Thus their energy is quickly dissipated when passing over land.

At the slightest hint of a wind above 20mph this forum is filled with posts asking when to evacuate and how many extra toilet rolls they should be buying up (to add to those bought the three previous times, and still stacked up in the garage).

Be prepared, but don't over-react.
I agree. A hurricane is defined as sustained winds (not gusts) of 75 mph or higher. As far as I know, The Villages has never experienced a hurricane. Yet, many people continue to refer to past hurricanes in The Villages.

[Rocksnap]

I agree. A hurricane is defined as sustained winds (not gusts) of 75 mph or higher. As far as I know, The Villages has never experienced a hurricane. Yet, many people continue to refer to past hurricanes in The Villages.
We had sustained winds of at least 80 mph last Oct during Helena.

[retiredguy123]

We had sustained winds of at least 80 mph last Oct during Helena.
Not according to AI or the Orlando Sentinel. There were some wind gusts reported of up to 60 mph during Helene in central Florida, but no sustained winds anywhere near 75 mph. There is a huge difference between a sustained wind and a gust.

[NoMo50]

We had sustained winds of at least 80 mph last Oct during Helena.

Helene was in September last year. Milton came thru in October, and was the stronger of the two.

[Indydealmaker]

We’re new to Florida/The Villages & have a pool area including a covered lanai. The section above the pool is screened & the adjacent seating area is covered by a solid roof. All sides surrounding the lanai & pool are enclosed by screens.

Our concern is with the 4 large ceiling fans hanging in the roofed area of the lanai. From the roof to the blades, there is a 4 ft "stem." Even light winds cause the blades to turn. We’re concerned about possible damage during hurricane-force winds.

The previous homeowner mentioned that she would tie a rope to each fan and anchor it to a bucket sitting on the ground below the fan, filled with rocks to limit movement. The fan manufacturer didn’t have recommendations. Our own online research led to two suggestions:

1. Removing the fan blades before each storm
2. Tying the blades together
Neither option seems ideal.

If anyone has ideas on how to safely stabilize large hanging fans during strong winds, we’d truly appreciate your insight. 🙏🏼

We have lived here 15 years and your fears are virtually baseless. We have never experienced hurricane force winds. Other than securing or removing lightweight items that can blow away, we have never seen the need to go overboard. We never turn ceiling fans off anyway. They are designed for 24/7 operation.

[retiredguy123]

Helene was in September last year. Milton came thru in October, and was the stronger of the two.
At my house, neither storm ever exceeded 40 mph wind speeds.

[Berwin]

1) Our ceiling fan has a three-foot stem because the roof over it is sloped so don't worry about the folks on here saying you must be mistaken. We've weathered three or four storms since we've been here and the fan has been just fine. It is under a roof surrounded on three sides with the fourth side open to the bird cage with no damage. Do what feels safe for you. 2) I joined the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and in the training, when people asked where we would relocate to in a hurricane, the instructor said, "This is where people relocate TO in a hurricane." Yep, we had friends from St. Pete stay with us a week last year when Milton hit there.

[MandoMan]

We’re new to Florida/The Villages & have a pool area including a covered lanai. The section above the pool is screened & the adjacent seating area is covered by a solid roof. All sides surrounding the lanai & pool are enclosed by screens.

Our concern is with the 4 large ceiling fans hanging in the roofed area of the lanai. From the roof to the blades, there is a 4 ft "stem." Even light winds cause the blades to turn. We’re concerned about possible damage during hurricane-force winds.

The previous homeowner mentioned that she would tie a rope to each fan and anchor it to a bucket sitting on the ground below the fan, filled with rocks to limit movement. The fan manufacturer didn’t have recommendations. Our own online research led to two suggestions:

1. Removing the fan blades before each storm
2. Tying the blades together
Neither option seems ideal.

If anyone has ideas on how to safely stabilize large hanging fans during strong winds, we’d truly appreciate your insight. 🙏🏼

If you want to loop a pice of string around a blade of a ceiling fan and tie it around The handle of a bucket of rocks, fine, but definitely don’t HANG a bucket of rocks from a fan blade. You would risk warping it permanently, or snapping it off. Their strength is sideways. I’d also recommend not unscrewing the blades before a storm. 1. Being up on a ladder unscrewing fan blades has its risks. 2. Every time you do that, there’s a risk of ending up with an unbalanced fan, and that can be frustrating. 3. In a hurricane, the blades are not likely to turn faster than they would if the fan were on high. 4. The blades are firmly screwed to the heavy fan body, which will keep them in place.

[Justputt]

Never had a problem with the ceiling fans and we don't do anything to them, HOWEVER, the screen door can be trashed because the wind will rattle it until it slams open, bending the closer mechanism and potentially breaking the door. We ended up using a zip or wire to secure the handle/latch to the strike plate.

[Justputt]

If you want to loop a pice of string around a blade of a ceiling fan and tie it around The handle of a bucket of rocks, fine, but definitely don’t HANG a bucket of rocks from a fan blade. You would risk warping it permanently, or snapping it off. Their strength is sideways. I’d also recommend not unscrewing the blades before a storm. 1. Being up on a ladder unscrewing fan blades has its risks. 2. Every time you do that, there’s a risk of ending up with an unbalanced fan, and that can be frustrating. 3. In a hurricane, the blades are not likely to turn faster than they would if the fan were on high. 4. The blades are firmly screwed to the heavy fan body, which will keep them in place.

After a storm, I did see broken fans at our Dabney pool, so it can happen if they're really exposed.

[Michael G.]

We never turn ceiling fans off anyway. They are designed for 24/7 operation.

I read that ceiling fans running does not have anything to do with helping cool/heating a room.
Ceilings fans are only for people's comfort, moving air.

In other words, turn off ceiling fans when no one is in the room
to save energy.

Agree or not?

[retiredguy123]

I read that ceiling fans running does not have anything to do with helping cool/heating a room.
Ceilings fans are only for people's comfort, moving air.

In other words, turn off ceiling fans when no one is in the room
to save energy.

Agree or not?
I agree. My ceiling fans are just to look at because I don't want any air moving around. If I am warm, I turn down the thermostat.

[kcrazorbackfan]

We’re new to Florida/The Villages & have a pool area including a covered lanai. The section above the pool is screened & the adjacent seating area is covered by a solid roof. All sides surrounding the lanai & pool are enclosed by screens.

Our concern is with the 4 large ceiling fans hanging in the roofed area of the lanai. From the roof to the blades, there is a 4 ft "stem." Even light winds cause the blades to turn. We’re concerned about possible damage during hurricane-force winds.

The previous homeowner mentioned that she would tie a rope to each fan and anchor it to a bucket sitting on the ground below the fan, filled with rocks to limit movement. The fan manufacturer didn’t have recommendations. Our own online research led to two suggestions:

1. Removing the fan blades before each storm
2. Tying the blades together
Neither option seems ideal.

If anyone has ideas on how to safely stabilize large hanging fans during strong winds, we’d truly appreciate your insight. 🙏🏼

We have 12” extensions on ours in the outdoor kitchen and never have had a problem.

[thelegges]

Milton created 80+mph winds in Parts of TV. Not only 11-13” of rain. Giant Live Oaks were felled on roads, common areas, and some homes.

While Milton was definitively less damage than coastal, but still hundreds of thousands of damage to homes, roofs, cars. Fans didn’t seem to be in the mix of damaging claims.

[midiwiz]

We’re new to Florida/The Villages & have a pool area including a covered lanai. The section above the pool is screened & the adjacent seating area is covered by a solid roof. All sides surrounding the lanai & pool are enclosed by screens.

Our concern is with the 4 large ceiling fans hanging in the roofed area of the lanai. From the roof to the blades, there is a 4 ft "stem." Even light winds cause the blades to turn. We’re concerned about possible damage during hurricane-force winds.

The previous homeowner mentioned that she would tie a rope to each fan and anchor it to a bucket sitting on the ground below the fan, filled with rocks to limit movement. The fan manufacturer didn’t have recommendations. Our own online research led to two suggestions:

1. Removing the fan blades before each storm
2. Tying the blades together
Neither option seems ideal.

If anyone has ideas on how to safely stabilize large hanging fans during strong winds, we’d truly appreciate your insight. 🙏🏼

first item would be, when we lived by the port our outdoor fans never turned ever. not to mention why a 4ft drop? but aside from that we aren't what I (or most) would call hurricane territory. the storms over the last week or two are pretty much what to expect. so I wouldn't even bother working about anything like that.

[Babbs1957]

One other thing about a fan in a wind.....the harder the wind blows, the faster the blades spin. So it actually is designed to easily move in a breeze to protect it's blades. I have had fans on a front porch for 30 years on the coast. Never worried about the blades because of the spin. If it was kept from spinning, then you have a blocking of the wind and the fan blades and motor would become a projectile. BTW, I grew up on a farm with a very tall windmill. Prairie winds were extremely strong. You never tie down the blades or vane to avoid the tower destroying itself.

[Kzeus]

Our house, 2013 vintage has 2 ceiling fans (no stem) flush mounted in the screened lanai, and we have been through several hurricanes with no damage to the fans.

Thank you. 🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

I agree. A hurricane is defined as sustained winds (not gusts) of 75 mph or higher. As far as I know, The Villages has never experienced a hurricane. Yet, many people continue to refer to past hurricanes in The Villages.
Thank you for clarifying. 🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

We have lived here 15 years and your fears are virtually baseless. We have never experienced hurricane force winds. Other than securing or removing lightweight items that can blow away, we have never seen the need to go overboard. We never turn ceiling fans off anyway. They are designed for 24/7 operation.
Thank you for putting our fears to rest. I'm sure that after we've been here for one hurricane season, our perspective will be more realistic and our fears put to rest. 🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

At my house, neither storm ever exceeded 40 mph wind speeds.

Thank you for sharing your experience. 🙏🏼

[Kzeus]

Never had a problem with the ceiling fans and we don't do anything to them, HOWEVER, the screen door can be trashed because the wind will rattle it until it slams open, bending the closer mechanism and potentially breaking the door. We ended up using a zip or wire to secure the handle/latch to the strike plate.

Thank you! 🙏🏼 We wouldn't have thought to do that!

[Kzeus]

We have 12” extensions on ours in the outdoor kitchen and never have had a problem.
Thank you for sharing your experience. 🙏🏼

[margaretmattson]

I know this will elicit numerous angry responses, but a "hurricane" in The Villages is rarely anything remotely resembling a proper hurricane along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts.

Hurricanes gain energy from the heat of the ocean which, as you may have noticed, is not that close to us here. Thus their energy is quickly dissipated when passing over land.

At the slightest hint of a wind above 20mph this forum is filled with posts asking when to evacuate and how many extra toilet rolls they should be buying up (to add to those bought the three previous times, and still stacked up in the garage).

Be prepared, but don't over-react.It depends on the hurricane. Many have strengthened after landfall. Several times, central Florida has had more damage than the coast. Also, hurricanes, like Milton, can cause over one hundred tornadoes that strike inland. My rule of thumb is: be overprepared and hope nothing happens. Do not be the fool who does the opposite. Many have died because they did nothing to protect and provide.

[margaretmattson]

II agree. A hurricane is defined as sustained winds (not gusts) of 75 mph or higher. As far as I know, The Villages has never experienced a hurricane. Yet, many people continue to refer to past hurricanes in The Villages.Where you here during past hurricanes? No, we never had major damage throughout.(yet) But, many homes were destroyed in some way: shingles blown off roofs, objects soaring like missiles, fences down, lanais ripped to pieces, trees fallen onto homes, road blockage, minor flooding, vehicle damage. And yes! Even electricity lost for days. (not just the Historic Section) Some years were much worse than others. We have seen this type of damage each time a major hurricane comes through. Never have we COMPLETELY escaped the destruction.

On Ground Hog Day, the second largest tornado in Florida history struck the Villages and Wildwood. At 3 a.m while everyone was caught off guard sleeping, one storm created two smaller. Within minutes, the three storms destroyed over one thousand homes, thousands of vehicles, and easily toppled endless trees and landscape as if they were made of paper. It can happen ANYWHERE at ANYTIME. This is when I learned that Florida has the highest frequency of tornados in the Southeast. Shocked? So was I! Imagine the disbelief of the thousands of residents whose homes were obliterated. When you hear weather warnings please take them seriously.

I am not trying to alarm anyone. Being prepared is always the safest bet. Doing NOTHING but chuckling at others may bite you in the (you know where)

PLEASE DO NOT DISPUTE THE EVENTS IF:
a) you never had damage while residing in the Villages. (great for you) So, of course! I must be exaggerating even though I have lived here 24 years, and over 40 yrs in the state. I have survived dozens of hurricanes. Each with different intensity and size. One was nearly as large as the entire state. This is the time all electricity was lost in the Villages for days. Trucks cannot come into the state with that size of hurricane. Can they? Think about it before posting I am lying.

b) You did not SEE the destruction. Just because you did not notice, did not live here during each and every event, or watch the coverage on local or national news doesn't mean IT WASNT HORRIFIC. It certainly does not mean IT NEVER HAPPENED.

C) do not post tornados in other states are much stronger than those in Florida. Devastion is devastation. It makes no sense to state OURS WAS WORSE THAN YOURS. Tell that to the victims.

Picture uploaded is hurricane Jeanne. It was the size of the entire state. Do you still believe being prepared is not necessary? Hmmm...can you even see the Villages in this pic? No? Look how big the eye was! Do you still believe the Villages is A SAFEHAVEN FOR THOSE LIVING ON THE COAST?

The second pic is Groundhog Day Tornado. Remember: Wildwood was quite different than now.

Every storm is unique. Those of you who believe you are 100% safe are living in LaLa Land. I pray I do not have to say, "I told you so!"

[retiredguy123]

IWhere you here during past hurricanes? No, we never had major damage throughout.(yet) But, many homes were destroyed in some way: shingles blown off roofs, objects soaring like missiles, fences down, lanais ripped to pieces, trees fallen onto homes, road blockage, minor flooding, vehicle damage. And yes! Even electricity lost for days. (not just the Historic Section) Some years were much worse than others. We have seen this type of damage each time a major hurricane comes through. Never have we COMPLETELY escaped the destruction.

On Ground Hog Day, the second largest tornado in Florida history struck the Villages and Wildwood. At 3 a.m while everyone was caught off guard sleeping, one storm created two smaller. Within minutes, the three storms destroyed over one thousand homes, thousands of vehicles, and easily toppled endless trees and landscape as if they were made of paper. It can happen ANYWHERE at ANYTIME. This is when I learned that Florida has the highest frequency of tornados in the Southeast. Shocked? So was I! Imagine the disbelief of the thousands of residents whose homes were obliterated. When you hear weather warnings please take them seriously.

I am not trying to alarm anyone. Being prepared is always the safest bet. Doing NOTHING but chuckling at others may bite you in the (you know where)

PLEASE DO NOT DISPUTE THE EVENTS IF:
a) you never had damage while residing in the Villages. (great for you) So, of course! I must be exaggerating even though I have lived here 24 years, and over 40 yrs in the state. I have survived dozens of hurricanes. Each with different intensity and size. One was nearly as large as the entire state. This is the time all electricity was lost in the Villages for days. Trucks cannot come into the state with that size of hurricane. Can they? Think about it before posting I am lying.

b) You did not SEE the destruction. Just because you did not notice, did not live here during each and every event, or watch the coverage on local or national news doesn't mean IT WASNT HORRIFIC. It certainly does not mean IT NEVER HAPPENED.

C) do not post tornados in other states are much stronger than those in Florida. Devastion is devastation. It makes no sense to state OURS WAS WORSE THAN YOURS. Tell that to the victims.

Picture uploaded is hurricane Jeanne. It was the size of the entire state. Do you still believe being prepared is not necessary? Hmmm...can you even see the Villages in this pic? No? Look how big the eye was! Do you still believe the Villages is A SAFEHAVEN FOR THOSE LIVING ON THE COAST?

The second pic is Groundhog Day Tornado. Remember: Wildwood was quite different than now.

Every storm is unique. Those of you who believe you are 100% safe are living in LaLa Land. I pray I do not have to say, "I told you so!"
Your post has nothing to do with my post. I didn't say The Villages never had any damage, especially from tornadoes, which are totally different from hurricanes. Most damage in The Villages is from either tornadoes or from wind gusts, but not from the sustained winds created by hurricanes. If you research the prior weather history in The Villages, you will find that, when a named hurricane reaches The Villages, the "sustained" wind speed has almost always been reduced to significantly less than 75 mph, which defines a hurricane.

[margaretmattson]

Your post has nothing to do with my post. I didn't say The Villages never had any damage, especially from tornadoes, which are totally different from hurricanes. Most damage in The Villages is from either tornadoes or from wind gusts, but not from the sustained winds created by hurricanes. If you research the prior weather history in The Villages, you will find that, when a named hurricane reaches The Villages, the "sustained" wind speed has almost always been reduced to significantly less than 75 mph, which defines a hurricane.I do not have to research. I WAS HERE. If you believe only 75 mph sustained winds can do major damage, you do you! I know what I have witnessed. BTW: Tornadoes are known to occur DURING HURRICANES. 46 struck inland Florida during Milton last October. THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE AND HOMES INLAND WERE DESTROYED. Much of the coast had very little wind during the storm. Hours later, when the tide rolled in, thousands of homes were severely flooded by 8-12ft storm surge. Many were underwater. I have friends and family who lost their homes. Why argue semantics? Devastation during a hurricane is devastation. Does it really need to be classified correctly?

No, I am not poking fun at you. I understand where your thought is coming from. Mine is coming from the damage I have seen. It bothers me when residents tell newbies not to be concerned. PREPARING IS ESSENTIAL. Consider yourself blessed if the storm does no damage to your home. It very well could have. The next one, or the next, may be THE ONE.