When a hurricane or major storm is on the horizon, most people think of high winds and evacuation routes. But for property managers, HOAs, and commercial landowners, another critical concern often gets overlooked until it’s too late: the stormwater infrastructure designed to protect your property.
Why Stormwater Infrastructure Matters During Hurricanes
Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, and with them come torrential rainfall, flash flooding, and erosion—all of which can wreak havoc on unprepared properties. Stormwater systems are engineered to handle a specific amount of rainfall, often based on what’s called a “design storm”—such as a 100-year storm event. This term doesn’t mean a storm that happens once every 100 years, but rather one that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year.
When systems are clogged, damaged, or degraded, their ability to manage stormwater is significantly reduced. This can lead to costly flooding, soil loss, infrastructure failure, and environmental damage.
Preventative Maintenance Is Key
The good news? Many issues can be prevented with routine inspections and proactive planning. Here’s how:
1. Inspect Infrastructure Before Hurricane Season
- Evaluate condition of inlets, outfalls, culverts, pipes, and retention areas.
- Look for erosion around the shoreline or slopes, cracked or displaced structures, and signs of sediment buildup or clogging that could restrict flow.
- Vegetation management is critical—overgrown or invasive plants can block flow paths like swales and ditches.
2. Document and Monitor After Every Major Rain Event
- Keep a storm log. Record rainfall amounts, drainage performance, and any observed flooding.
- Take photos or videos of flooding, pooling water, and signs of stress on the system.
- Note recurring problem areas, like low-lying zones or clogged inlets.
This documentation can be incredibly helpful to professionals like engineers, contractors, and restoration specialists. It gives them a clearer picture of how your site behaves during storms and helps guide smarter, more targeted solutions.
3. Don’t Wait for a Major Failure to Act
- Often, issues begin subtly—minor erosion after each rain, or slowly accumulating debris. Left unaddressed, these small problems lead to system failure when a major storm hits.
- Routine maintenance, even when the system seems to be functioning, adds resilience when you need it most.
Proactive Tips for HOAs and Commercial Properties
- Schedule annual stormwater inspections—preferably before hurricane season begins.
- Engage professionals like Landshore Enterprises to assess critical areas like lake banks, stormwater retention ponds, outfalls, and drainage ditches.
- Develop an emergency response plan with your landscape, property management, or stormwater teams.
- Budget for repairs and upgrades before emergency funds are required.
- Educate your residents or staff about not dumping yard waste, trash, or sediment into storm drains.
How Landshore Enterprises Can Help
At Landshore Enterprises, we specialize in shoreline stabilization, erosion control, and stormwater infrastructure restoration. Our team works with HOAs, golf courses, and commercial property managers across the Southeast to:
- Inspect stormwater and erosion-prone infrastructure
- Identify weak points and recommend durable, engineered solutions
- Restore degraded shorelines and slopes to protect long-term stormwater function
- Support communities in developing proactive stormwater maintenance plans
Don’t let the next storm catch your property off guard. Investing in preparedness today means peace of mind tomorrow.
➤ Need a stormwater inspection before hurricane season hits?
Contact Landshore Enterprises today to schedule an assessment and get ahead of the storm.