Storm preparation for absentee owners...at what forecast wind speed...
 

1...would you pay to have someone move your outdoor/lanai furniture indoors?

2...would you pay to have someone cut your lanai screens to prevent failure of the structure?

3...would you pay to have anything else done just for the storm?

Thanks to all you veterans who have been through this before at TV!!

A lot depends on the weight of your furniture. If the heavy iron, I probably wouldn't worry about it all -- it would take a direct hit from a tornado to have it do any real damage and then it wouldn't much matter. Otherwise, if wind is projected over 50 mph, I'd have it moved. Definitely have small items or anything on the walls removed (should have been done before you went back up north).

Never heard of anyone cutting the lanai screens here. I do know that some remove the acrylic windows but not to prevent structural damage but to prevent them getting scratched from flying debris.

Personally, I think it is worth having your trees, especially the palms, trimmed at the beginning of the hurricane season. It is really common to have branches blown off which do have the potential of doing some damage. Bring in outside hoses, decor, etc.

Hope this helps a little.

I agree completely on every point. I too am baffled by screens being cut.

When we closed in May this year, our builder suggested that cutting the screens before a big blow would save the structure...otherwise with sufficient winds the screens actually catch enough air to blow down the bird cage. I had never heard of that before, but then again, I've never lived in a place with bird cages so I was curious if it was common knowledge/practice. It sounds like that's not the case!

that could be very costly

If the wind is that bad, then debris flying around will cut your screens for you. I think I would rather let that happen rather than do it myself...so insurance will cover it.

Screens are not covered by most insurance just the bird cage itself.

Mini tornado at my last home in Wesley Chapel, FL
 

Just my luck ... mine was the only home hit out of 2,200.
And yes, this is what wind can do within 30 seconds.
[ATTACH]Attachment 4411[/ATTACH]

I guess you cut them each year as there will always be a storm. Guess he has a big repeat screen fixing business. I would take my chances and leave the screens alone. I would move everything inside if I was leaving for more than a few days.

I’m convinced the bird cage is a bad idea, plan “B”.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...FeiaYuuuck1glw

Cuttting the screens allows for more wind to blow through less avoiding damage to the birdcage structure. It woul be a hard thing to do though.

If you are snow bird it would be a wise move to place your lanai furniture inside your home before you leave to go north.

TV has not experienced a BIG hurricane in a number of years and The VIllages islocated in the lowest rated wind area for all of Florida. BUT can it happen..better safe than sorry!

I wouldn't want to cut my screens but that reminds me of a company in S. Florida that advertised they would install removeable screens. The screens were mounted in frames as in your windows. If a storm approached, you just remove them and put them in your garage or wherever. Very simple and would in fact keep your birdcage frame intact as the wind wouldn't really have anything to push on.
Be sure to bring everything inside even heavy furniture. Afterall if the winds can roll over a semi-truck I'm sure your furniture could become a missle and a hazard not only to you but your neighbor.
If you notice your neighbor leaving stuff outdoors go over and offer to help them move them indoors as what they leave outside could damage you.