High winds can happen almost anywhere. They are very prevalent across flat land where the wind is not blocked or stopped. High winds can cause a lot of damage and can be very dangerous. Watching for warnings and being aware in high wind situations is key to preventing a serious accident or damage. It is a smart idea to learn more about what to do during high winds.

High winds can easily pick up debris, snap tree branches, cause trees to fall, collapse buildings and structures and more as they blow. All of these things can be harmful and cause damage. Simply any debris lying around can be picked up by wind and become a hazard.

High winds can occur when there is a storm approaching, but they can also come all on their own. The National Weather Service issues a high wind watch when there is more than 50% chance of high winds occurring. When high winds are more certain to occur the NWS issues a high wind warning. If the weather is cold then the high winds bring additional warnings, such as a wind chill warning or advisory.

High winds are most common during spring and winter seasons, but they do occur throughout all four. Taking the whole country into account, spring is the top season for high winds. It is important to always take precautions when high wind warnings or watches are issued.

Once a high wind warning or watch is in effect your first step should be to clean up your lawn and secure down anything that could blow around. Any trees should be checked for weak limbs or limbs already laying on the ground. Remember to bring in lawn furniture, trash cans, outdoor decorations, potted or hanging plants, or anything else the wind could pick up.

Staying inside and away from windows is the safest thing you can do once high winds hit your area. A major cause of accidents is flying objects hitting windows and breaking them. Another precaution you should take is to avoid driving. Accidents have been caused by high winds, vehicles sometimes go into the ditch, and uncommon but possible is wind causing your vehicle to flip over. Wind also causes visibility problems when dust, rain, or snow are present.

During high winds it is common for the electricity to go out. Fallen trees and downed power lines are a common occurrence. It could take some time for the damages to be repaired, so you should have back up lighting and heat on hand or have other plans of what to do in case it takes a few days for the power to be restored.

Once high winds have passed through your area check your property for any damages and fix them as soon as possible. If high winds return unfixed damages could become dangers, and may inflict harm. Your homeowners insurance policy will most likely cover damages caused by high winds, so make sure to contact your insurance agent right after the storm.