Many Ontario residents were caught off guard and impacted by sudden and intense windstorm events that have occurred over the past few years. Here is some information that could be beneficial to know as we head into the windy months ahead. 

There are several types of storms that can cause wind damage, including Tornado, Hurricane, Thunderstorm, Hailstorm, Microburst, Derecho, and Nor’easter.

Generally, most damage caused by wind in any type of storm situation is covered by a homeowners policy, such as damage to your roof, windows, siding, fences and more. 

Here in Southwestern Ontario, the most likely time for any of these events to occur is between May and September, with peak months in June and July. While homeowners cannot predict violent wind activity, you can take steps to protect yourself, your family, and minimize damage to your home.

What to do if you know a storm is coming:

• Understand your home’s vulnerabilities. It is incredibly important that you are educated and aware of your home’s vulnerabilities to the threat of severe wind. Ask your municipal government for advice on how to best protect your home – towns and cities located in severe wind regions will have knowledge and expertise to share. Similarly, consider having a building inspector evaluate your home and offer insight about its capacity to resist or withstand extreme winds.
• Remove any dead trees and large tree branches/limbs from your property. When performing maintenance on trees, please make sure you are doing so safely or contact a professional tree-care service or arborist.
• Protect your roof. This can be done easily by simply walking a short distance away from your home with a pair of binoculars. Take a look at the roof and make note of any damage you see (loose shingles, loose tiles, etc.) and have them repaired as soon as possible. If you have an attic, you can also inspect it for areas where wiring enters the roof and confirm that all openings are properly sealed. Finally, take a look at your gutters and downspouts to ensure that they are secured properly. 
• Inspect your siding. Fix any deterioration that you notice, such as loose and unsealed siding around windows, doors, and places where wires enter the home.
• Clean up projectiles. Any outside items that are not secured or attached to your home are at risk of becoming projectiles that could end up causing additional damage or even injury. Evaluate your outdoor space and make sure that nothing is at risk of flying away such as lawn chairs, toys, hanging flower baskets, and much more. 
• Re-locate your equipment. If you’re able, move your vehicles to a garage or covered location that will protect them from high winds, projectiles, and other falling debris. If you don’t have access to a covered location, make every effort to park your vehicles as far away from large trees as possible so that falling branches and limbs do not cause damage.