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Weathering the Storm

Be proactive in protecting your home against high winds.

By Anne Marshall | Illustrations by Overdrive Design Limited

Your home endures a lot from the weather. Take the right steps to help protect it from wind damage.

WHEN A STORM starts to brew and strong winds start to blow, your first thought is likely about keeping your family safe — and rightfully so. That’s why it’s best to be prepared for high winds, so that you can feel confident your home will weather the storm.

Weather events that bring high winds, including hurricanes and tornadoes, can be dangerous and can cause damage. Tornado intensity is measured on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. We rarely see anything over 170 kilometres per hour, classified as EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale — winds ranging from 90 to 175 kilometres per hour. Only 26 percent of incidences of high winds in Canada have historically exceeded that, according to Public Safety Canada. Saskatchewan saw the development of 10 tornadoes on June 19, 2025, underscoring the importance of understanding these weather events and how to plan for them.

The Enhanced Fujita scale starts with winds moving at 90 km/h. These high winds can result in everything from loose shingles and damaged siding to broken windows, downed trees and destruction caused by flying debris. While that might be cause for concern, how you protect your home from strong winds can make all the difference after it passes. By incorporating a few tips for securing your home in storms you can help protect your home, avoid expensive repairs and insurance claims, and make the next one a lot less stressful.

Safeguard your home against strong winds

Look at these five areas of your home and make sure they’re in good repair and ready for any winds that come your way. Some of these suggestions are easy to implement by yourself, while others will require the help of a professional, and might be something to consider investing in the next time you’re getting work done on your home.

A detail illustration of a house's roof.

REINFORCE YOUR ROOF

Upgrade roof cover to shingles rated for high winds. Better yet, if it’s feasible, go for clay or metal — they are more durable.
Secure sheathing with ring-shank nails or screws instead of nails.
Check your attic to see if there are any leaks or interior damage that might indicate a roof issue.
Waterproof your attic with adhesive spray foam; this will also help prevent roof panels from detaching.
Add braces and anchors to roof trusses and gable ends or use galvanized metal hurricane straps.

In an illustration, a man and woman do repairs on the gutters of their home.

PROTECT GUTTERS, VENTS, EAVES AND SOFFITS

Clean your gutters to ensure they are draining effectively.
Make sure your vents are secure and not compromised. They should have a baffle or a trip mechanism — this prevents water from entering.
Examine soffits for cracks and corrosion.
Make sure that gutters are strongly supported. Look for any that are coming away from the house.
Have a good look at seams where the soffits meet the wall and trim to ensure the seal is effective.

In an illustration, a man reinforces a deck post.

STRENGTHEN PORCHES AND OVERHANGS

Check that any decorative elements are in good shape and not coming loose.
Ensure columns and posts are firmly rooted in the ground and attached.
Have old nails and screws replaced with hardy, wind-resistant fasteners.

In an illustration, a man secures storm shutters over a window.

SECURE DOORS AND WINDOWS

Entry points are vulnerable areas. Doors should be impact-resistant, fit well in their frames, and be secured with a functional deadbolt. For double-door entries, ensure that the secondary door has fasteners at both the top and bottom to keep it secure.
Impact-resistant glass for sliding doors and windows is best — and for areas prone to high winds, installing storm shutters is a good preventative measure.
Seal gaps and cracks around window frames to keep out wind-driven rain.
Choose a wind-rated garage door or add after-market braces for support.

In an illustration, a man secures a patio table while a woman wheels a garbage bin.

SAFEGUARD YOUR YARD

Take a look at heavy fixtures such as a barbecue, air conditioning units and patio furniture. These may need to be anchored or put away ahead of heavy winds.
Stow patio umbrellas, garbage bins and lightweight objects safely away when not in use.
Keep boats and jet skis securely moored, especially when storms are predicted.
Park cars in garages or shelters to protect them from flying debris.
Trim trees and shrubs regularly. If you spot any damaged or weak branches, have them assessed by an arborist.

CHECK YOUR HOME INSURANCE FOR WIND DAMAGE COVERAGE

While it’s best to take the right precautions, weather is unpredictable, and damage may still occur. CAA

The Enhanced Fujita Scale

EF Rating	Wind Speed (km/h)	Level of Damage	Description
EF0	90–130	Light damage	Broken branches, blowing debris, possible chimney damage
EF1	135–175	Moderate damage	Peeling shingles off a roof, moving cars pushed across the road
EF2	180–220	Considerable damage	Uprooting large trees, ripping roof off a framed house, vehicles lifting off the ground
EF3	225–265	Severe damage	Cars lifted off ground and thrown around, large trees ripped out of the ground
EF4	270–310	Devastating damage	Levelling modern homes and propelling cars through the air
EF5	315+	Massive devastation	Bark removed from trees, entire buildings destroyed

Find out more about protecting your home.