Hurricane Season Prep: Clear the Junk Before the Storm

Living on the Space Coast means enjoying beautiful beaches, rocket launches, and year-round sunshine. It also means hurricane season — June 1 through November 30 — is a reality you plan around. And while most Brevard County residents know to stock up on water and batteries, fewer think about the junk in their yard, garage, and around their property that becomes genuinely dangerous when 100+ mph winds hit.

Here's how clearing out junk before storm season can protect your home, your neighbors, and your wallet.

The Projectile Problem

In a hurricane, anything not secured becomes a projectile. That old patio set you've been meaning to toss? The pile of lumber from a project three years ago? The rusted basketball hoop your kids outgrew? In 120 mph winds, these aren't just junk — they're missiles.

According to FEMA, wind-borne debris is responsible for a significant portion of hurricane damage to homes. Common culprits include:

• Old patio furniture (especially lightweight aluminum pieces)
• Stacked yard waste — branches, logs, and landscaping debris
• Broken fencing materials
• Unused grills and outdoor equipment
• Construction leftovers (lumber, concrete blocks, scrap metal)
• Trash cans, recycling bins, and anything not bolted down

The rule is simple: if the wind can move it, remove it. If you can't bring it inside or tie it down, get rid of it before the storm.

Yard Debris Cleanup

Brevard County's tropical climate means trees grow fast — and drop branches year-round. Before hurricane season, do a thorough yard assessment:

• Trim dead branches: Any branch that's dead, hanging, or touching your roof is a hazard. Hire a tree service or trim what you can safely reach.
• Clear brush piles: That pile of palm fronds and trimmings in the corner of the yard? It needs to go before storm season.
• Remove dead trees: A dead or dying tree is the biggest single hazard on most residential properties during a hurricane.
• Pick up loose items: Garden tools, kids' toys, potted plants, and lawn ornaments all need to come inside or be secured.

Our yard waste removal service handles all of this. We'll clear branches, brush, palm fronds, and debris so your yard is storm-ready.

Garage Cleanout for Car Storage

Here's a hurricane prep tip most people forget: your garage should be able to fit your car. Your vehicle is one of your most valuable possessions, and leaving it in the driveway during a hurricane is a recipe for hail damage, flying debris hits, and flooding.

If your garage is currently a storage unit full of old furniture, holiday decorations, and stuff you forgot you owned, now is the time to clean it out. Be honest about what you need:

• Anything you haven't touched in two years can probably go.
• Broken equipment, old appliances, and worn-out furniture — gone.
• Organize what you keep on shelves and off the floor (in case of flooding).
• Leave enough room for at least one vehicle.

A garage cleanout with 321 Junk typically takes 1–2 hours. We show up, you point at what goes, and we haul it away. Then you can actually park inside when the storm warnings start.

Post-Storm Debris Removal

After a hurricane passes through Brevard County, the cleanup begins. Storm debris includes:

• Fallen trees and branches
• Damaged fencing and structures
• Waterlogged furniture and belongings
• Roofing materials, siding, and construction waste
• Flooded appliances and electronics

321 Junk provides post-storm debris removal throughout Brevard County. We ramp up capacity after major storms to help our community recover faster. If your property takes a hit, call (321) 450-3400 and we'll get there as soon as roads are clear.

Hurricane Prep Junk Checklist

Use this quick checklist before the next storm:

• ☐ Walk your property and identify loose items
• ☐ Remove or secure all outdoor furniture
• ☐ Clear yard debris and dead branches
• ☐ Clean out the garage to make room for vehicles
• ☐ Dispose of old propane tanks, chemicals, and hazardous materials properly
• ☐ Remove broken fencing, old sheds in poor condition, and unstable structures
• ☐ Store important documents in waterproof containers
• ☐ Have a post-storm cleanup plan (save our number: (321) 450-3400)

Don't wait until the forecast shows a spinning red blob heading for the Space Coast. Take care of the junk now, while it's sunny and stress-free. Your future self (and your insurance company) will thank you.