Windstorms and gales: before, during, after

Wind arises because air flows from areas of high air pressure to areas of low air pressure. The greater the difference and the shorter the distance, the stronger the wind. In central Europe severe storms occur mainly in autumn and winter, when powerful low-pressure systems move in from the Atlantic. In summer, thunderstorm gusts can also briefly reach storm force, often very suddenly.

The force of the wind grows much faster than its speed: wind blowing twice as fast pushes roughly four times as hard against a surface. That is why a storm can move things that stand firm in normal wind – trampolines, garden furniture, scaffolding sheets, billboards. Trees with a full crown, rotten wood or softened ground around the roots break or topple more easily.

Most injuries in storms are therefore indirect: from falling branches, toppling trees, flying objects and torn-down power lines. Protection thus means two things: securing beforehand everything the wind can move, and during the storm being where nothing can fall on you or fly in.

As soon as a storm warning is issued, you usually have enough time for simple preparations. Bring in garden furniture, parasols, window boxes and play equipment or tie them down. Secure bins, close windows, doors and, where available, shutters. Charge your phone and power bank, because storms often cause power cuts. Do not park the car under trees or next to scaffolding.

During the storm, stay in a solid building, away from windows and glass doors. Do not go onto the balcony or roof to quickly tie something down – that is exactly when many accidents happen. Postpone journeys, especially through wooded areas. In high-rise buildings the wind is stronger on the upper floors; balconies should be cleared beforehand.

If you are caught outdoors, get into a solid building quickly and keep away from trees, scaffolding, billboards and overhead lines. In a car, stop in an open area, not under trees. An open shelter or a tree is no protection in a storm but an additional danger.

Always treat fallen power lines as if they were live – even if they are lying still and not sparking. Keep a wide distance, also from fences, puddles and branches touching the line, because current can be conducted through them. Report the line to the grid operator or via the local emergency number (112 in the EU).

Forests and tree-lined avenues remain dangerous even after the storm. Broken branches can hang in the crowns for days and fall without warning. Respect closed paths. Clearing storm timber is work for professionals: fallen trees are under tension and can spring back unpredictably when cut.

If the power fails after the storm: run generators and grills outdoors only. They produce carbon monoxide, a gas you can neither smell nor see and which can be deadly indoors. Also, only go outside once the warning has been lifted, do not climb onto damaged roofs and look at damage from the outside first.

Wind strength is often described with the Beaufort scale, named after a British naval officer of the 19th century. It ranks the wind by its visible effects – from “calm” to “hurricane force” as the highest level. Weather services usually issue warnings in levels and describe what to expect. So when there is a warning, read not only the headline but also the advice.

A common mistake is not taking a warning seriously because it is still calm at first. Storms often approach quickly, and gusts can suddenly be much stronger than the wind before. If you tidy up as soon as the warning comes, you will not have to go out later.

After the storm, it helps to photograph damage before you clear anything away – this makes things easier with your insurance. Tornadoes and tropical cyclones, by the way, are separate hazards with their own official protective rules; this text describes the kind of storms typical of central Europe.