Take Shelter
- Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
- If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the winds pick up or the storm system reaches your location.
- Listen to the local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates.
What to do if you're in a threat of high winds?
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you're in a threat of high winds: -Bring any loose outdoor items such as holiday decorations and chairs into the garage or house, or securely tie them up. Beside the risk of these items being blown away or damaged, airborne debris can be dangerous.
What should I do if I'm driving in a strong wind?
If you are driving and aren't near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down. Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers. One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip one of these trailers onto its side.
Is it safe to go outside in high winds?
High Winds Safety Rules The safest place to during high winds is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued. If you are caught outside during high winds:
How can I prepare my home for a high wind storm?
Seal the cracks around windows and doors and check that your home’s insulation is up to par. On high-wind days, drafts can blow through old, cracked weather stripping and make your home feel chilly. Keep your yard clear of loose objects and debris that could be turned into projectiles by a stray gust. Prepare an emergency kit.
Where is the safest place to be during high winds?
Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement. If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the winds pick up or the storm system reaches your location.
How do I prepare my house for high winds?
Place garbage cans, patio furniture, grills and other potentially wind-borne objects inside your home or garage. Board your residence up. Board up windows and glass doors with shutters or plywood to minimize damage from broken glass, in case of high winds.
How much wind is needed to flip a car?
The study showed that head winds with wind speeds of up to 115 miles per hour do not tip over vehicles, however crossing the 115 miles per hour mark, the results are much different. Touching 180 miles per hour, any stationary or in motion vehicle has an increased chance of tipping over.
Should you open windows during high winds?
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends that you close all interior doors and all windows for major wind storms including hurricanes. That's because wind that enters a home through open windows creates strong upward pressure on the home's roof.
What should you not do during wind?
During high winds Do not go outside or travel unless absolutely necessary. If you're driving, slow down and remain alert, or pull over to a safe place – clear from anything that may fall on or damage the car. Close curtains to stop glass spreading if a window is shattered. Keep listening for updates.
How strong of winds can a house handle?
According to a report by FEMA, new wood-frame houses constructed according to building codes perform well structurally, in winds up to 150 mph, while a steel homes can withstand winds up to 170 mph. However, building wind-resistance homes can cost about 7 to 9 percent more than less wind-resistant structures.
Can 70 mph winds move a cars?
An average person could be moved by a 67 mph wind, and an average car can be moved by a 90 mph wind.
Is it OK to drive in high winds?
The following advice will help you stay safe when driving in high winds: Slow down and keep focused on the road ahead – you may encounter debris from fallen trees, branches or other items blown by winds. Avoid using exposed sections of road if possible. Lorries, caravans and motorbikes are at particular risk.
Is it better to drive fast or slow in high winds?
Driving slower than the posted speed limit helps lessen the dangers of wind and helps you better control the vehicle.
What wind speed will break windows?
Shattered Glass Rather, winds over 100 mph can do this on their own, placing enough pressure on the windshield and side windows to shatter the materials – or result in significant cracks and spidering.
Can high winds crack a window?
The simple answer is yes. Hurricanes can produce extremely dangerous winds. A Category 5 storm can generate wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour. While steady wind may be unlikely to shatter a window, sudden, sharp gusts can add immense pressure to windows and doors and can break them.
Can house windows break from wind?
During severe thunderstorms or hurricanes, homes may be damaged or destroyed by high winds. Debris flying through the air can break windows and doors, allowing high winds inside the home.
What materials can withstand high winds?
Poured concrete and ICF construction are both becoming more popular as framing materials, because they're stronger and can better withstand natural disasters. Both materials offer a lot more stability than wood, and are less affected by things like moisture. They also hold up better to high wind speeds and impact.
How do I block my house from wind?
Evergreen trees combined with a wall, fence, or earth berm (natural or man-made walls or raised areas of soil) can deflect or lift the wind over the home. Be careful not to plant evergreens too close to your home's south side if you want to collect passive solar heat from the winter sun.
How do I prepare for 100 mph winds?
WIND SAFETY Before a high wind event or tornado: Trim tree branches away from your building and power lines. Secure loose gutters and shutters. Identify an interior room or area of refuge – such as bathrooms or basements – that can be used as a safe room of shelter during high wind warnings.
How do you protect windows from strong winds?
Installing storm shutters over all exposed windows and other glass surfaces is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your home. You should cover all windows, French doors, sliding glass doors, and skylights. There are many types of manufactured storm shutters available.
How to stay safe in high winds?
Stay away from windows, and if winds are severe or if tornadoes are possible, move to the basement or the lowest interior room. Manufactured homes and trailers are not safe shelters in high winds. If you’re stuck outside in high winds, seek the safest shelter possible.
How to protect your home from high winds?
When high winds are predicted or imminent: 1 Bring pets and children indoors 2 Secure loose items like toys, lawn furniture, trash cans, garden decorations and small potted plants by moving them to a shed or garage. 3 Park your vehicles in a garage if the space is available. 4 If there are large items outside your home that you can’t move indoors, secure them as needed with tie-downs or sandbags. 5 Close and latch storm shutters if they’re already installed. 6 Close and latch all doors and windows.
Why are there high winds?
But dangerously high winds can occur even on a clear day, because the causes of windstorms all come down to temperature.
Why are there wind alerts?
Because some areas of the U.S. are naturally windier than others, these warnings may be triggered at different wind speed levels in one place than in another.
What is a hurricane force wind warning?
Hurricane force wind/gale warnings -- Issued in coastal regions when high winds are predicted. Dust storm warning -- Issued when visibility is reduced to ½ mile or less due to blowing dust or sand from sustained or gusting winds.
What to do if you see downed power lines?
If you see downed power lines, call your local electrical utility. You can also report downed lines to your local police. Do not go near downed lines or utility poles. Downed lines can electrify puddles and even the moisture in the ground, so you should remain indoors if lines fall near your home.
How does wind form?
The greater the pressure difference, the faster the wind. Heavy winds are typically formed by atmospheric pressure variations, which cause gusts of air to rush in to fill low-pressure zones. Additionally, wind can result from heavy activity ...
What to do in advance of a storm?
In advance of any storm, be sure your property is secure. Remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structure s, loose roofing materials and objects in yards, patios, roofs or balconies that could blow away. If a wind warning is issued consider the following:
What are the rules for high winds?
The safest place to during high winds is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued. If you are caught outside during high winds: Take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
What happens when high winds hit?
High winds can cause downed trees and power lines, flying debris and building collapses, which may lead to power outages, transportation disruptions, damage to buildings and vehicles, and injury or death. Preparing for High Winds. In advance of any storm, be sure your property is secure.
What to do if your power line is down?
In the event of a downed power line: Call for help. Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police.
What is the most likely month for high winds in Florida?
Large winter storms occasionally produce high winds over central Florida. March and April are the most likely months for this phenomenon. A high wind warning is issued when sustained winds of 40 mph or greater or gusts to 58 mph or greater are expected.
How to stop a car when there is wind?
If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.
What to do if a line falls on your car?
If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle. Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach of the danger. Ask someone to call the police. Do not exit the car until help arrives, unless it catches on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car's exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away.
What should I do when a high wind warning is issued?
The safest place to be during high winds is indoors. If a high wind warning is issued, you should postpone any outdoor activities until the winds relax.
What should I do when gusty winds are expected?
Whenever windy weather is expected, make sure any loose objects on your property are secured . This includes things such as patio furniture, umbrellas, grills, garbage cans and holiday decorations. There have also been instances of trampolines and bounce houses being lifted off the ground during gusty winds.
How to prepare for high winds?
Prepare for high winds. Bring in objects that could blow away, such as trampolines or light furniture. School and city buses may stop operating, so you will have to plan around that. If you are driving, wind may blow your car around, so drive under the speed limit to make sure that you don't lose control.
What is a high wind warning?
A High Wind Warning (SAME code: HWW) is an alert issued over the Emergency Alert System which warns that high winds will occur. A High Wind Warning may be preceded by a High Wind Watch, but this is not always the case. A High Wind Warning does not necessarily mean that it will happen, it just means that high wind is expected.
Where Can I Hear it?
It probably will not be sent to cell phones unless the winds are exceptionally strong. It can also be seen on the National Weather Service website .
How to stay safe in high winds?
Stay away from windows, and if winds are severe or if tornadoes are possible, move to the basement or the lowest interior room. Manufactured homes and trailers are not safe shelters in high winds, even with additional strapping.
What supplies do you need for a wind storm?
When it comes to emergency supplies, it is always great to have flashlights and headlamps for hands-free operation on hand, as well as batteries for them, as power outages are very likely to happen during wind storms.
Why are there wind alerts?
Because some areas of the U.S. are naturally windier than others, these warnings may be triggered at different wind speed levels in one place than in another. Every National Weather Service forecasting office has its own regional criteria for wind alerts.
Why is it important to plan ahead for a wind storm?
In order to prepare yourself, your family, and your property and try to minimize all damages and potential injuries, it is very important to plan ahead – if you know that a wind storm is coming, of course. Wind storms can come in various types and each requires different ways and steps to prepare.
What to do if you see downed power lines?
If you see downed power lines, call your local electrical utility. You can also report downed lines to your local police. Do not go near downed lines or utility poles. Downed lines can electrify puddles and even the moisture in the ground, so you should remain indoors if lines fall near your home.
How to protect electronics from rain?
Apart from that, if there is any chance that the storm will be followed by heavy rains or if there is any possibility of flooding, make sure to secure your electronics by covering them with a tarp or by moving them to a safer place where the water can’t reach them.
How long can you go without power after a wind storm?
While most of the time high wind events themselves are over in a day or two, the aftermath of them can leave you without power, internet, running water, cleared roads etc… for weeks or even months.