Your readiness zone
← Back to SurvivalZone.EU

Storms and strong winds: how to protect your home, car and garden

Storm-proof your home: a practical guide

⏱ 3 min read

Roof, garden, car, warnings. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone.app and works without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

Severe storms with strong winds and hail are becoming more frequent, and not only in summer. Much of the damage is caused by things that could have been secured earlier: loose roof parts, garden furniture, diseased trees.

This article is about preparing. What to do during a storm is in the step-by-step scenario.

A check before the season

  1. Check the roof, gutters and flashing. A loose sheet or tile is a common cause of damage.
  2. Cut back dead branches and report dangerous roadside trees to the council.
  3. Plan where you will put garden furniture, a trampoline and the parasol.
  4. Check that your insurance covers storm and hail damage.

Electronics and power

  1. A lightning strike can damage equipment even far from where it hits. Surge-protected extension leads help, but the safest option is to unplug the TV, computer and router when a storm approaches. Storms often end in a power cut, so keep a charged power bank and a torch.

Your car

  1. If you have no garage, choose a covered place in advance, such as a multi-storey car park. A blanket or a special cover protects against hail. Do not park under trees or next to scaffolding.

How to read warnings

  1. Most European weather services use the same colours: yellow means be aware, orange means be prepared, red means take action. You can see warnings for every country at meteoalarm.org. The most serious ones also come as emergency alerts on your phone.

Checklist

  1. Roof and gutters checked
  2. Trees near the house cut back
  3. A place for garden furniture
  4. Surge protection or the habit of unplugging
  5. A place to shelter the car
  6. Torch and power bank
  7. Weather warnings and emergency alerts on your phone
  8. Insurance checked

See also

Frequently asked questions

How do I protect my home from a storm?

Check the roof and gutters, cut back dead branches, put away or tie down garden furniture, and close windows and shutters before the storm.

Should I unplug electronics during a thunderstorm?

Yes. Unplug the TV, computer and router. A surge from lightning can damage them.

What does a red weather warning mean?

Very dangerous weather that may threaten life. Stay indoors and follow official advice.

📩 Free 72-hour plan by email

A 72-hour shopping and go-bag list, plus a short monthly checklist. Free, no spam.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

Other guides

All scenarios →

Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-04.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.