Winds: What You Need To Do Before They Hit

It’s all about winds and what to do before they hit. I’m sitting here watching the news and remembering the windstorms we lived through in Farmington, Utah, many years ago. The strong wind gusts have been recorded at anywhere from 70 to 80 miles per hour in northern Utah over the past week.

The year we moved into our home in Farmington was 1983, and the winds were so strong that they flipped trains on their sides out near the Great Salt Lake. High-profile vehicle warnings were sent by the National Weather Service, and dozens of semi trucks were parked under the freeway overpasses. In case you missed this post, Things to Stock Up On Before a Hurricane

Yes, the truckers had to pull over and park, hopefully under an overpass, to protect their trucks from the high winds. Thank goodness for high wind warnings! Currently, the report is a record for Utah, with 45 semi-trucks blown over. Some years, we had those heavy-duty freeway signs bent in half. Oh my goodness, the sounds of the wind are scary.

We lived in a rambler (a one-story home), so the sound wasn’t as bad. But we also lived in a two-story home, and I swear, it felt like the wind would take the top off our house.

Winds: What You Need To Do Before They Hit

Stay Home and Stay Away from Windows:

If possible, please stay home if your state or city requests that you stay off the roads because of a dangerously high wind event. Keep your family away from all windows in case they break from falling trees or projectiles and flying debris blowing through your yard. If you’re really concerned, consider spending time in an interior room or basement in your home or putting plywood or storm shutters over your windows.

Another concern is falling tree limbs and branch destruction. Even old established trees are prone to being blown over in heavy winds. Be sure to consider keeping trees near power lines and telephone lines properly trimmed. That helps protect the lines and makes the trees less prone to fall since there isn’t as much mass for the wind to catch hold of. Dead trees can also be a problem since their branches are so brittle.

Stock up on Food:

We have all been stocking up on food. The recent Pandemic has made people more aware that we must stock food. We aren’t hoarding, and we aren’t spreading panic, we’re being REAL, my friends. In case you missed this post, Canned Foods I Highly Recommend You Store

Stock up on Water:

I’m sure you’ve heard that FEMA recommends only one gallon of water per person daily. I strongly disagree. I highly recommend four gallons per person per day. Please start with three days’ worth of water at the very least, then seven days, and then 30 or more days’ worth of water for your family. We need water for hydration, cooking, and personal hygiene at the very least.

Paper Products:

Please stock up on paper plates, hot and cold cups, and plastic silverware. Here’s the deal: I don’t want to use my water to clean the small eating utensils. I can wash some, but I don’t want to use all my fuel to heat the water to wash dishes during wind events or severe thunderstorms. Of course, I store water to clean the pans or other cooking utensils.

I know I can bake brownies in my Sun Oven if the sun is out and I can place it in a safe location. Please don’t purchase a Sun Oven for your area if you have limited sunshine. I’m just giving you the heads-up here. I paid $250.00 for each of my Sun Ovens, now they are $549.00 plus tax. YIKES! They work great if you have sunshine several days a year.

Laundry:

Are you like me? When I hear a wind advisory on the news, I ensure ALL the laundry is done. Granted, we only have 3 or 4 loads a week with the sheets and towels. But I love knowing my laundry is washed, folded, and put away.

I must confess, I LOVE clean sheets. We only wash them once a week; no, I don’t iron them like my grandmother did. I watched a show about Oprah, and she has someone who works for her who changes her sheets every two days. That sounds heavenly to me unless I’m the one changing them.

Be Ready For Power Outages:

A few years ago, one of our TV news channels announced that 175,000 people were powerless, and they had no idea how long it would take to be restored. This is where blankets come into play in the winter, or we may need a wood stove or fireplace to keep us warm.

Well, in the summer, stock some Spray Bottles. Trust me, I have used them to try to cool off. I also love Frogg Toggs! You just wet them and they keep you cool!

Yes, I can wear my bathing suit when the temps hit 90 degrees, but a spray bottle works better for me when the A/C is out. LOL!

Fuel:

Please stock up on fuel that is safe to store on your property. It could be butane canisters for butane stoves, propane tanks for the BBQ, or camping stoves. If you have a wood stove, stock up on wood, or coal if your stove can handle coal. We used to have a wood-burning stove that we could interchange between fuels.

I miss that stove since we downsized to a smaller home many years ago. Now, we have downsized once again in Northern Utah.

Flashlights and Batteries:

Sometimes, we need a quick reminder to grab some fresh batteries. I’m still so humbled that my friend Harry from Texas sent me some C and D batteries a few years ago. I was having trouble finding them here, but now I see them again on the shelves. Anyway, please check your flashlights to see if they work and if your battery stash is adequate. Solar flashlights are even better, and I have mine charging on the windowsill all the time.

I store small ones in my front window in our living room so they can gather solar power. They are ready when I need them. If you have solar yard lights, they would work as well. They would gather the sun to charge, and then you can bring them inside when needed.

Cars and Trucks:

Please keep your gas tanks at least 1/2 to 3/4 full, if possible. If you had to evacuate, you would not be one of those cars waiting in line at the gas station, only to find when you get to the tanks that they are now empty. Where I live, it seems like every three-day weekend, the gas station within a mile of me hangs those yellow bags “out of gas!”

If traveling the local roads, be aware of fallen trees, branches, and utility lines. Never drive across any lines unless directed to by authorities who have tested to ensure they aren’t live.

Also, be cautious when passing large semi-trucks or travel trailers on the freeway. Gusts can push them over. They often park under overpasses to be protected from the winds, so watch for these rigs since they may not have their lights on.

Windows:

You may want to make sure all your windows are locked and secure. If your screens are loose, remove them and store them. They are easy to put back on.

Front Porch:

I’m one of those ladies with two chairs and a plant on a table on the porch by the front door. Yes, I love working outside with my dog and laughing with family and neighbors who stop by. But I bring the plant inside when the winds get bad and remove the chair pads if the winds are over 50 miles an hour. Outdoor items are very susceptible to damage from high, sustained winds.

Gates:

We must secure our gates, or you may not have a gate if the winds get bad. We have had sections of our fence end up a block away. In our neighborhood in Southern Utah, we had block (concrete blocks) as fences/walls. But when we had wood and vinyl slats in other homes we’ve owned, bye-bye fence sections every couple of years.

Garage Doors:

Ensure your garage doors are closed and secured, or the wind may blow whatever is in your garage down the street. If you have a carport, secure whatever may blow away. I use rope and bungee cords on just about everything. My favorite ones are the 48-inch Bungee Cord Straps.

Gardens:

If the winds are terrible, we harvest what we can and pray the winds die down. I have tried covering the garden boxes, but the covers get ripped off too often.

Backyards:

You’ll want to strap down your BBQ. We had ours tip over once, and now it’s secured to a railing with those wonderful bungee cords. If you have a trampoline, it may end up a block away if the wind hits your yard. Sometimes, using rope or bungee cords to “huddle” your backyard chairs may help them from becoming airborne. Also, consider other things like a large table umbrella, patio furniture or lawn furniture that are subject to high winds.

The city comes and picks up our garbage containers every Monday morning. You can count on garbage cans being blown over on windy mornings, and seeing some of the contents scattered around the neighborhood.

Winds: What You Need To Do Before They Hit

Here are some numbers to think about when Hurricane Force Winds are due:

Category One: 74-95 MPH

Category Two: 96-110 MPH

Category Three: 111-129 MPH

Category Four: 130-156 MPH

Category Five: 157+ MPH

Thank goodness, we aren’t subject to hurricanes here in Utah. We also seldom experience tornadoes. I feel for the families who’ve lost loved ones recently in the “tornado alley” states this past week. Our prayers are with you during these difficult times.

Final Word:

Sometimes we must be reminded about storms that include strong winds: what you must do before they hit is critical! Please keep prepping, we must have emergency plans to best prepare our resources against the winds. All families should have a home and vehicle emergency kit! Stay safe, and stay well. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Trees Blown Over AdobeStock_299135945 by WideAwake, Wind Damage In A Residential Area AdobeStock_379428893 By Kat7213