--- title: "Artificial Turf Before and After a Hurricane | TIMELESS Grass & Greens" description: "Secure loose yard items and clear debris before the storm. After it, stay out of floodwater, then clear, brush and check the infill before replacing anything." url: https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/ updated: 2026-09-12 --- Care and lifespan # What to do with artificial turf before and after a hurricane * * * Updated 2026-09-12 The short answer ## How do you protect artificial turf from a hurricane, and what do you do after one? Before the storm, bring in or tie down loose yard items, clear leaves and debris off the turf, and clear nearby drains. After it, wait until officials say it is safe and stay out of floodwater. Then wear boots and gloves, remove debris, brush the turf once it is dry and check the infill. If floodwater sat on it, plan on having the infill removed and cleaned or replaced. Open seams or ground that won't drain need repair. Planning a turf installation? Get a layout, turf options and a written quote for your space. [Request a free estimate](https://www.timelessgrass.com/estimate/) [Call 303-349-2368](tel:3033492368) We’ll call to arrange a free site visit. [Jump to the checklist](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#your-hurricane-checklist) On this page On this page 1. [Before the storm: secure what can move](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#before-the-storm-secure-what-can-move) 2. [After the storm: safety comes before the turf](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#after-the-storm-safety-comes-before-the-turf) 3. [Clear the debris without moving the infill](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#clear-the-debris-without-moving-the-infill) 4. [Check the infill and the drainage](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#check-the-infill-and-the-drainage) 5. [Flooded turf: clean, re-infill or replace](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#flooded-turf-clean-re-infill-or-replace) 6. [Planning turf somewhere that floods](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#planning-turf-somewhere-that-floods) 7. [Your hurricane checklist](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/artificial-turf-hurricane-prep/#your-hurricane-checklist) ## Before the storm: secure what can move Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, according to Ready.gov (page updated 9 July 2026). You can’t bring a lawn inside. You can clear what sits on it. The federal advice for your yard is short. The CDC says to bring outdoor possessions such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside, or tie them down securely. Ready.gov adds one more: de-clutter drains and gutters. For a turf yard, that means: - **Bring in or tie down** furniture, grills, trash cans, planters, toys and anything else sitting on the turf. - **Clear leaves and debris off the surface.** The Synthetic Turf Council, the industry’s trade association, advises removing leaves and other debris in its maintenance guidelines. - **Clear drains, gutters and outlets** that carry water away from the turf, so the rain has somewhere to go. - **Take a few photos** of the yard while it’s dry. They give you something to compare against later. Should you cover it? The council’s guidance is written for sports fields: in a flood plain, cover the field with a specialized tarp designed to limit silt and debris when flooding threatens. In a yard, a cover is one more thing to tie down. And if local officials order you to evacuate, Ready.gov says to go immediately. The turf can wait. ## After the storm: safety comes before the turf Wait until local officials say it’s safe to go out. Then: - **Stay out of floodwater.** Ready.gov warns it can contain dangerous pathogens, debris, chemicals, waste and wildlife, and that downed power lines can charge it with electricity. - **Dress for the job.** The CDC says to wear rubber boots and plastic gloves for cleanup, and to wash your hands with soap and water. - **Keep children out of it.** Ready.gov says children should not help with disaster cleanup work. Keep pets off the turf until it’s clean, too. - **Photograph the damage** before you move anything. Ready.gov advises documenting property damage with photographs. - **Expect mosquitoes.** The CDC notes they may gather in pooled water after a flood, and suggests repellent with DEET or picaridin, or long sleeves and trousers. ## Clear the debris without moving the infill Pick up branches, shingles and other large debris by hand. Then work down in size: - **Nails, screws and other metal.** The Synthetic Turf Council suggests picking up metal objects with a magnet. - **Small debris.** A handheld or backpack blower works. The council says not to point the nozzle straight into the turf, and to use minimal throttle, so the infill stays where it is. - **Mud and silt.** Let it dry first. The council says brushing is most effective when the surface is dry. - **What to avoid.** The council lists high-pressure sprays over 500 psi and improper cleaning methods among the things that may damage synthetic turf. It also says not to use cleaning chemicals that contain alcohol or acetone solvents. When a rinse is needed, use clean water, and only once local officials say your water is safe to use for cleaning. The CDC tells you to listen for exactly that information. ## Check the infill and the drainage Heavy rain moves infill. The Synthetic Turf Council advises checking infill levels after heavy rainfall, because infill can migrate with the slope. It can also pile up at the edges. The council says to clean that material before brushing it back into place, and to use replacement infill that matches the original specification. Some infill travels farther than others. A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection report from October 2025 says turf fields may be severely damaged in a flood, especially fields with rubber pellet infill, because the pellets are buoyant and may wash away. For places with heavy rain, it points to denser infills, such as coated sand or zeolite, which are less likely to wash away. In Florida, our [Florida infill guide](https://www.timelessgrass.com/guides/florida-turf-infill-rules/) covers which infills a lawn there may use. Then watch how the turf drains. If water keeps standing on it after heavy rain, the council lists possible causes: - Clogged or damaged drain pipes or outlets. - An uneven base. - Debris in the infill. - Surface tension in the infill. Our article on [whether rain drains through artificial turf](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/does-rain-drain-through-artificial-turf/) explains how the layers underneath handle water. ## Flooded turf: clean, re-infill or replace Most storm damage falls into one of four cases. **Wind and rain, no standing floodwater.** Clear the debris, brush once it’s dry, and top up the infill where it thinned out. **Floodwater covered it, then drained away.** Treat the infill as contaminated. The Synthetic Turf Council says events such as flooding may introduce extreme levels of contamination, which can harden the surface and cause water permeability issues. Its answer for fields is rejuvenation: 1. Remove most of the dirty, contaminated infill. 2. Put in new infill, clean the original, or use a mix of both. 3. If the original infill is cleaned and reused, remove dust and debris and apply a disinfectant to treat for bacteria. That guidance was written in 2013 for infilled sports fields. A yard with infill is built from the same kinds of parts. On disinfecting: the CDC’s mix of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water is written for walls, hard floors and other surfaces. Turf isn’t a hard floor. Check the turf manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before you put bleach on it. **Saltwater surge.** Treat it as a flood. The council’s buying guide says polyethylene, nylon and polypropylene yarns can all resist saltwater at safe concentrations. It says nothing about what surge leaves in the infill or the ground underneath. **Damage to the turf or the ground.** Cleaning won’t fix: - Seams that have opened, or panels that have shifted. The council calls these a safety hazard. - Tears in the turf. - Ground that has washed out beneath it. The New Jersey report notes that in areas that flood often, clean crushed rock can help stop erosion of the soil underneath. - Turf that still won’t drain once the infill is clean. That’s a job for [turf removal and replacement](https://www.timelessgrass.com/services/turf-removal-and-replacement/). On a free visit we measure the space and check the ground. If the base needs rebuilding, you approve a custom layout before any work starts. ## Planning turf somewhere that floods If you’re choosing turf for a low spot or a lot near the water, start with the water. The New Jersey report cites New York City’s parks department, which advises against installing turf fields in or near the 100-year flood zone, or beside open ocean exposed to high-velocity waves and storm surge. It also advises against infill fields where water often stands. The Synthetic Turf Council’s buying guide says turf, infill and base should drain to suit local weather and rainfall patterns. For a coastal yard, that means denser infill, a base built for your ground, and a clear route for the water. Ready.gov’s hurricane page points to FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center if you want to check your lot first. ## Your hurricane checklist **Before the storm** - Bring in or tie down everything sitting on the turf. - Clear leaves and debris off the surface. - Clear drains, gutters and outlets. - Photograph the yard. - Leave when officials tell you to. **After the storm** - Wait for the all-clear, and stay out of floodwater. - Wear rubber boots and gloves. Keep children and pets away. - Photograph the damage. - Pick up debris by hand, metal with a magnet, and small bits with a low blower. - Brush once dry. Check infill levels, especially at the edges and the low side. - If floodwater sat on it, plan on having the infill removed and cleaned or replaced. - If seams opened, the ground washed out or water won’t drain, have it checked. ## Common questions ### Should I cover my artificial turf before a hurricane? Sports field guidance says to in one case. The Synthetic Turf Council's maintenance guidelines suggest a specialized tarp, designed to limit silt and debris, for a field in a flood plain when flooding threatens. For a yard, the federal advice is about loose things: the CDC says to bring lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside or tie them down securely. Any cover you add is one more outdoor item that has to be tied down. ### Is turf safe for kids and pets after floodwater covers it? Not until it has been cleaned. Ready.gov warns that floodwater can contain dangerous pathogens, chemicals, waste and debris, and says children should not help with disaster cleanup work. Keep kids and pets off the area. Wear rubber boots and plastic gloves while you clean, and wash your hands with soap and water afterward, as the CDC advises. ### Can I pressure-wash storm mud off artificial turf? Go gently. The Synthetic Turf Council lists high-pressure sprays over 500 psi among the things that may damage synthetic turf, and says brushing is most effective when the surface is dry. Let the silt dry, brush it out, and rinse with clean water only once local officials say your water is safe to use for cleaning. ### Does saltwater from storm surge ruin artificial turf? It depends on more than the fibers. The Synthetic Turf Council's buying guide says polyethylene, nylon and polypropylene yarns can all resist saltwater at safe concentrations. It does not cover what surge leaves in the infill or the ground below. Treat surge as a flood: clear the silt, check the infill and watch whether the turf drains. ## Related turf questions - [Can window reflections damage artificial turf?](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/can-windows-melt-artificial-turf/) - [How should artificial turf be cared for in a Colorado winter?](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/does-artificial-turf-hold-up-in-colorado-winters/) - [How long does artificial turf last?](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-long-does-artificial-turf-last/) ## Where to go next - [Artificial lawns](https://www.timelessgrass.com/services/residential-turf/) - [Turf replacement](https://www.timelessgrass.com/services/turf-removal-and-replacement/) - [Turf in Northeast Florida](https://www.timelessgrass.com/northeast-florida/) - [Turf in The Grand Strand](https://www.timelessgrass.com/grand-strand/) - [Turf infill in Northeast Florida: sand, shell or rock — not rubber](https://www.timelessgrass.com/guides/florida-turf-infill-rules/) Free estimate ## Planning a turf installation? Tell us about the area you want to install or replace. We’ll call to arrange a free site visit. [Or call 303-349-2368](tel:3033492368) Your free estimate includes - A visit to measure your space - A custom layout, drawn for your space - Turf options, side by side - A written price, with no pressure to sign [Request a free estimate](https://www.timelessgrass.com/estimate/) Five short steps. We’ll call to arrange your visit.