Rain barrels are great for conserving water—but during hurricane season, they need to be secured just like your patio furniture and garden containers.
✔️ Secure the barrel to a sturdy structure
✔️ Anchor the stand
✔️ Check the lid and overflow connection
✔️ Make sure it's sitting on a level, stable surface
✔️ Never leave an unsecured barrel where high winds can move it
Best option:
- Keep the barrel full or mostly full before the storm if the barrel and stand are designed to handle that weight.
- Make sure the barrel is sitting on a solid, level surface.
- Secure the barrel to a permanent structure, such as a house wall or sturdy post, using heavy-duty straps.
- If it's on a stand, secure the stand itself to the ground or structure—not just the barrel.
For a freestanding barrel:
- Use heavy-duty ratchet straps or exterior-rated tie-down straps.
- Anchor them to ground anchors, a sturdy fence post, or another structural attachment point.
- Use two straps around the upper portion of the barrel rather than relying on one.
- Check that the lid is firmly attached and the overflow is directed away from the foundation.
⚠️ One important consideration
Don't simply fill a barrel to make it heavy unless the setup is designed to support that weight. A 50-gallon barrel full of water weighs about 417 pounds, which puts significant force on the stand, connections, and the surface underneath it.