What should you check first after a wind event?
Check on people and animals, then look for hazards from a safe distance. Downed power lines, broken gas lines, hanging limbs and damaged roofs are the main dangers. Treat every line as live and call the utility.
Do not enter a building with visible structural damage, sagging roofs or leaning walls until it has been checked by a qualified person. Wind can shift buildings in ways that are hard to see.
Wait for winds to calm completely before climbing ladders or going onto roofs, since gusts can follow a storm.
- People and animals first
- Stay away from downed lines
- Smell for gas and leave if you detect it
- Look for leaning walls and loose roofing
- Wait for gusts to stop before climbing anything
How do you rank the repairs?
Start with whatever keeps weather out and people safe: an open roof, broken windows, a damaged door. Next come animal shelters and fences, since loose or exposed animals are in danger. Then come feed and water, equipment and, last, appearance.
A rough order keeps you focused. If something will cause more damage tomorrow, such as rain through a torn roof, fix it today with a temporary cover. If it will cause no harm, wait.
Write the list down. Cross things off as you go and keep a note of what is waiting for a contractor.
- Weather protection for buildings
- Shelter and fencing for animals
- Water, feed and power
- Equipment and outbuildings
- Cosmetic and permanent repairs
What about roofs, siding and outbuildings?
Roofs are the most dangerous place to work, so leave them to professionals when you can. If a tarp is necessary, ask a roofer or your insurance company for guidance. Barn doors, metal roofing and loose siding can act like sails in the next gust, so secure what you can from the ground.
Pole barns, hoop houses and sheds are often hit hard. Damaged structures can collapse without warning, so keep animals and people out until an expert has looked.
How do you handle fences and animals?
Check every fence line for downed wire, broken posts and tree limbs, and fix gaps that could let animals out onto roads. Move animals to a safe pen if their usual pasture is open. Watch for sharp metal, nails and wire in pastures where debris has fallen.
Count your animals and check them for injuries. Call your veterinarian for any that are hurt, and call the sheriff if animals are on a road.
- Walk every fence line
- Remove metal and wire from pastures
- Count and check animals
- Warn drivers if animals are on a road
- Check for sharp metal in the grass
- Keep children out of debris fields
How do you document damage and deal with insurance?
Take photos and video before moving anything, and keep a dated list of damage and receipts. Call your insurance agent early and ask what the policy covers, since wind, hail and tree damage may be treated differently. Ask about deductibles and about how to get permission for emergency repairs.
The Farm Service Agency and your county emergency management office can tell you whether disaster assistance applies. Rules and deadlines vary, so ask directly.
How do you pick contractors after a storm?
After a big storm, out-of-town crews and scammers show up. Check for licenses and insurance, and get written estimates from more than one. Do not pay the whole amount up front, and be cautious of high-pressure offers.
Your state attorney general or consumer protection office can tell you how to check a contractor, and neighbors can tell you who they trust locally.
- Ask for license and insurance proof
- Get written estimates
- Pay only for finished work
How do you reduce wind damage next time?
Look at what failed. Loose metal roofing, poorly anchored buildings and weak doors often fail first. Ask a licensed builder or your extension office about ways to strengthen the weak points, and keep trees near buildings trimmed by a qualified person.
Keep a list of the repairs you made and the photos of conditions beforehand. That record helps with insurance and with future decisions.
- Secure roofing and doors
- Trim trees near buildings
- Keep a map of shutoffs and gates
- Keep photos of buildings in good condition
- Ask a builder about weak points
Key takeaways
- Make sure people and animals are safe, and stay away from downed lines and weak structures.
- Repair in order: weather protection, animal safety, water and power, then the rest.
- Document before you clean up and call your insurer early.
- Check contractors before hiring.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.