According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is an 85 percent chance that this hurricane season (which officially runs from June 1 to November 30) will have more storms than average, resulting in more rainfall and flash flooding across the country.
When severe weather looms, emergency lawn prep isn’t just smart—it’s essential for protecting your yard, home, and peace of mind from rain that’s less, “Wow, the plants will be so happy” and more, “Batten down the hatches!” From proper mowing timing to drainage fixes, this Greenworks guide will walk you through how to make sure your yard weathers the storm.
Emergency Lawn Prep Before a Storm
Here’s your essential checklist to prepare your yard before dark clouds loom:
Mow a few days ahead. Cut your lawn to about 2–3 inches, which helps prevent grass from acting like a sail in wind and rain and supports better drainage.
Clear outdoor items. Bring in furniture, pots, hoses, trash bins, and toys. Loose items can turn into dangerous projectiles in strong winds.
Prune trees and dead branches. Remove limbs that could break off and harm your home or landscape.
Clean gutters and downspouts. Ensure water flows freely away from your home and isn’t flooding your yard.
Turn off irrigation systems. Heavy rain provides sufficient moisture, so avoid oversaturation by watering unnecessarily.
Grade soil and improve drainage. Level areas that pool water and use soil fill or install French drains/swales to divert runoff away from structures.
Cover your garden and vulnerable plants. Use cloches or tarps staked down to shield plants from wind and water damage.
Is It Better to Mow Before or After Rain?
This is a question that comes up a lot in landscaping and gardening circles. According to Southern Living, experts advise mowing before it rains. Why? Because cutting dry grass produces a clean, even trim and doesn’t compact wet soil. Rain following a fresh mow will also help your grass recover from stress caused by trimming.
“So…what happens if I go rogue and mow when the grass is saturated with water?”
Nothing good! Mowing wet grass can result in clumping, damaged soil structure, increased fungal risks, and impaired mower performance.
Greenworks Tip: If you must mow after a heavy rain, allow at least 24 hours for drying (or longer if the soil is still soft). This prevents the formation of grass-damaging grooves in the lawn.
Pre Storm Yard Prep: What to Do and Why
Task |
Why It Matters |
Mow lawn to 2–3″ |
Enhances drainage, reduces wind damage risk |
Remove outdoor items |
Prevents wind-borne debris and collisions |
Prune trees |
Eliminates hazards from broken or weak branches |
Clean gutters/downspouts |
Optimizes water redirecting, avoids overflow |
Turn off irrigation |
Prevents oversaturation and fungal problems |
Improve lawn drainage |
Avoids pooling and soil erosion |
Secure garden plants |
Shields delicate plants from rain and wind |
Post Storm Recovery: Repair and Rebound
After the clouds clear, take a few simple steps to restore your yard:
Inspect for torn up or eroded soil and refill low patches with topsoil and reseed or lay sod where needed.
Aerate compacted lawns to improve oxygen, nutrient, and water penetration into the soil.
Rake debris including branches, leaves, and mats of grass to avoid smothering and fungal invasion.
Fertilize selectively after checking soil moisture—too much fertilizer before a storm can wash away nutrients.
Final Thoughts: Yes, Minimizing Rain Damage Matters!
Emergency lawn prep before a storm reduces damage, helps with drainage, prevents erosion, and ensures faster recovery. And remember: It’s always better to mow before rain arrives! Dry grass cuts cleaner, drains better, and avoids fungal trouble.
Want to stay ahead of the storm with a freshly trimmed lawn? Explore all Greenworks Lawn Mowers. From suburban lawns to wide-open acres, Greenworks push, self-propelled, and riding mowers offer the quiet, cordless mowing power you need!
For more lawn care and yard tool tips, visit the Greenworks blog and read up on topics like:
What is the Best Electric Lawn Mower for Your Yard?
7 Tips for Using a Leaf Blower
What is Leaf Blower CFM and Why Does it Matter?
Your Ultimate Guide to Chainsaw Maintenance, Operation, Cleaning, and Safety
…and many more !
Written by The Green Team, a creative arm within Greenworks Tools.
Our team of writers, designers and content creators bring a breadth of experience and a touch of fun to all things tools. With an assist from the Greenworks product teams and technology experts, we’re here to provide helpful and engaging content to make your yard (and life!) beautiful.
