What Should You Do to Prepare Your Pool?
Hurricane season seems like it is always just around the corner here in the Central Florida Plant City area. 2024 was a real problem, and of course, we are hoping and praying to avoid that again.
Main Concerns for Pools During Hurricanes
Debris & Contamination
Hurricanes bring high winds, rain, and debris (leaves, branches, roof material). These can overwhelm your pool’s filtration system and quickly turn water green.Flooding & Contaminated Water
Heavy rain can cause flooding, mixing dirt, fertilizer, and sewage into your pool. This can spike bacteria, phosphates, and algae growth.Power Outages
Loss of electricity means pumps and salt systems shut off, leaving stagnant water. If unprepared, this leads to cloudy water and algae blooms within 48–72 hours.Equipment Damage
Pumps, heaters, automation panels, and salt cells are vulnerable to water damage and power surges. Flying debris can also strike equipment.Chemical Imbalance
Rainwater dilutes chlorine and lowers pool chemistry levels, while debris adds organic material that consumes chlorine quickly.
Current Forecasts for 2025
NOAA’s outlook is that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be above-normal.
NOAA National Oceanic Atmospheric Adminstration
Their prediction is roughly 13-18 named storms, of which 5-9 could become hurricanes, and 2-5 of those might be major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
Contributing factors include: warm ocean temperatures, weak vertical wind shear in certain regions, and favorable atmospheric/monsoon conditions offshore of Africa.
Where We Are in the Season & What’s Left
The season officially runs June 1 through November 30.
The peak period for hurricanes is mid-August through mid-October.
As of mid-late September, we are well into the peak, so conditions are favorable (sea surface temperatures remain elevated, the atmosphere tends to be more moist, etc.).
Historical Trends & Risk for Plant City / Florida
Here are patterns from past seasons and what they suggest:
Frequency of Storms Hitting Florida
A large share of storms making landfall in Florida occur in August to October.
As Florida is located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, it gets the brunt of many of the hurricanes that develop.
Late-Season Storms Still Matter
Even after mid-October, storms can still form and impact land, especially the Gulf of Mexico or Florida’s peninsula.
Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf can stay warm late into fall, which sometimes supports storm intensification.
Variability & Surprises
Some years are relatively quiet early and then spike. Others have storms that take unusual tracks.
Even if forecasts are for “above normal,” it doesn’t mean a high probability of direct landfall in a specific location, but the risk is elevated.
Key Concerns for the Rest of 2025 & What’s Different
Given where we are in the season (late September onward) and the current predictions:
Storm track uncertainty is high. As storms form later in season, steering currents (upper-level winds, high pressure ridges) can shift, which means storms might run along the Florida coast or enter the Gulf in unexpected ways.
Intensity potential for storms that do form: With warm waters, storms that survive long enough may become strong.
Rain and flooding could be as much or more of a threat than wind, especially inland (like Plant City) as storms slow or rain over a large area.
Storm surge risk remains for coastal areas but also effect of heavy rainfall inland.
Frequency of named storms/hurricanes still to come is likely based on forecasts — there may be several more.
What This Means for Plant City / Central Florida
Though Plant City is inland, many storm impacts can reach there:
Heavy rains causing flash flooding, swollen creeks, runoff problems.
Strong winds even away from the coast (downed trees, power outages).
Effects from storm surge (coastal) can back up water into estuaries and rivers, but less directly than coastal zones.
Extended outages or disruptions if infrastructure (power, roads) is affected.
The following will provide an overview of hurricanes and tips on how you can prepare your pool for the upcoming hurricane season.
What To Do To Protect Your Pool Before the Storm Hits
Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage to your pool. From flooding and wind damage to chemical imbalances, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your pool during a hurricane.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prepare your pool for a hurricane.
NOAA defines a hurricane as a type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters.
A tropical cyclone is a rotating low-pressure weather system that has organized thunderstorms but no fronts (a boundary separating two air masses of different densities).
Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) are called tropical depressions. Those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or higher are called tropical storms.
When a storm’s maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating, or category, based on a hurricane’s maximum sustained winds. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane’s potential for property damage.
Many people think the first thing to do when a hurricane is approaching is to drop the water level so the pool will not flood the deck and possibly flood the house. But almost all pools have a method for draining off excess water away from the house. So draining the pool to prevent flooding of the deck or house should not be a concern. A larger risk is if the pool is drained too far the pool may “pop” Without the weight of the water the pool can float because of the excessive groundwater from heavy rains. This can be very expensive to repair if this happens.
To prevent damage to electrical components from lighting strikes it is always a good idea to isolate equipment such as pool lighting, automatic chlorinators, heaters, and automation boards. It is best to turn off the equipment and shut off circuit breakers.
If it is possible remove or wrap in plastic pool pumps, time clocks, light transformers automation boards and any other vulnerable equipment.
Loose items can be dangerous missiles. Even a Category 1 can have wind bursts that can exceed 90mph which can easily pick up small objects and send them crashing into a window or some other object. Chairs and tables should be put inside. As a rule, never put large objects in the pool you risk damaging the pool.
Often in a storm power will go out, and large amounts of debris can be put into your pool. To help to combat bacteria and algae until the pool can be properly cleaned, you can prepare by adding extra chlorine. Usually, twice the amount you would normally use. Extra chlorine is not a problem as it will be used up or evaporate naturally.
Hurricanes can cause falling branches and other flying debris that may damage pool covers. It’s easier to remove debris from the pool than it is to replace a cover
To protect your screen enclosure look for any low-hanging branches or limbs that could potentially break and pierce the screen. Create a path of least resistance for the wind by removing the doors or some of the screen panels from your enclosure. This will reduce the strain and tearing on the sceen.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your swimming pool will be ready and protected from any potential damage caused by the storm.
After the storm
What to do after the storm has passed and it is time to get your pool open again.
FSPA recommends some simple steps after and during the storm.
- Do not use your pool directly before, during or after the hurricane or tropical storm – lightning, high winds and other dangers are unpredictable
- Do not go outside to check on or change anything during the storm – assess damage after.
- Do not immediately turn your pumps back on after the storm has passed
- Remove debris from the pool with a net, skimmer, or pool rake – do not use your regular pool vacuum equipment or pool pumps as they are likely to clog the plumbing
- Before touching any electrical equipment after the storm, be sure that everything is dry. Check circuit breakers to be sure they are off before attempting to reconnect electrical equipment such as pump motors.
- Inspect wiring for proper connections. If electric motors have been exposed to water, they should be checked by a professional.
- Shock your pool again, this will help begin the process of getting your pool back into balance
Pool Masters Can Help Handle The Clean Up
If you have pool maintenance service with us,
