Getting Ready for Named Storm Season
Homeowner preparing outdoor structures ahead of a forecast named storm
Named storms tend to arrive with enough forecast warning that a short checklist, done the evening before, can meaningfully reduce the risk of damage to a veranda, awning or pergola. It's less about heroics on the day and more about a routine most households can build into their winter habits.
Safety first: isolate power before touching a motorised system, and never work at height off a ladder alone. If in doubt, book a fitter rather than forcing a mechanism.
Why forecast warning is worth acting on
Named storms are flagged days in advance, which gives time to retract awnings, secure furniture and check obvious loose fittings before wind speeds build. Treating that warning as a prompt rather than background noise is the simplest way to avoid damage.
A pre-storm checklist for outdoor structures
The evening before a forecast storm is the right time to work through a short list rather than waiting to see how the weather develops.
- 1Retract awnings fully and check the wind sensor is active
- 2Secure or store loose cushions, furniture and planters
- 3Close and lock zip screens rather than leaving them extended
- 4Check louvred pergola blades are set to a closed, drained position
What to check on a fixed veranda roof
A fixed glass or polycarbonate roof doesn't need retracting, but it's worth confirming gutters are clear so wind-driven rain doesn't overwhelm a partially blocked outlet during the storm itself.
During and immediately after the storm
Avoid going outside to check a structure while winds are still high; a visual check from indoors is safer, with a proper inspection once conditions have calmed.
- Watch for movement at wall-plate junctions from indoors
- Note any unusual noises for later inspection
- Check the garden generally for fallen branches near the structure
- Avoid opening screens or awnings until wind has dropped
Questions we get asked on repair calls
Should I retract my awning every time a storm is named?
Yes, as a matter of routine — named storms specifically indicate winds strong enough to risk damage to an extended awning.
Is it safe to leave a pergola's louvres open during a storm?
No, closed and properly drained is the safer setting; open louvres present more surface area to gusting wind.
What should I do if I notice damage during the storm itself?
Note it and stay indoors until winds have dropped; going outside in high winds to inspect a structure carries more risk than waiting.
Do wind sensors on awnings work reliably in named storms?
They're designed to retract the awning automatically at a set threshold, but checking the awning is fully retracted manually beforehand is still good practice.
The morning-after inspection
Once a storm has passed, walk the structure looking for cracked glazing, loosened fixings, torn screen fabric or debris caught in gutters, and address anything found before the next weather system arrives.
In short
A simple pre-storm checklist — retracting awnings, closing screens, clearing gutters and inspecting the next morning — protects outdoor structures through named storm season.
Get it looked at
Ask about wind sensors and storm-ready screens when specifying your structure.
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