Why last year’s drought means more trees may fall during Irma.
Wochit Hurricanes are always a threat to topple trees, but the historic drought that crippled Alabama in 2016 may have made trees more susceptible to being uprooted by Tropical Storm Irma.
Last year’s drought affected the entire state and caused many root systems to stop growing, weakening the support system for many trees, said Scott Miller, Montgomery’s leisure services director.
With wind gusts around 50 mph expected from Irma, hardwood trees (such as oaks) with shallow root systems have a higher risk of being uprooted in Alabama because of the drought.
They’re basically top heavy,” Miller said.
(Photo: Albert Cesare / Advertiser) Miller said seven trees, each more than 200 years old, fell in Montgomery’s Oak Park this year, a rare occurrence he attributed to last year’s arid conditions.
Most trees still have their leaves this time of year, which also increases the chance of squalls pulling trees from the soil, Miller said.
Fallen trees are one of the most damaging aspects of hurricanes and more trees falling could mean more blocked roads and more power outages.
As of 3:30 p.m. Monday there were reports of fallen trees in Montgomery.
Mayor Todd Strange said Sunday that the city is monitoring heavily forested neighborhoods such as Forest Hills and Cloverdale.