With Storm Austen bearing down on southern England, the Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of West Devon, while a yellow warning extends across the rest of the region from Thursday evening into Friday. The system is expected to move into the North Sea by Friday night, but heavy rain will linger through the weekend.
Strong gusts can turn ordinary garden items into projectiles, and saturated soil makes pathways slippery. Homeowners who can spare a few minutes today will reduce the risk of damage and injury when the weather turns. The advice focuses on wind-related tasks first, then on drainage and structural checks before the rain arrives.
Secure outdoor furniture and accessories
Open parasols are the most obvious hazard; a sudden gust can lift them and send them crashing into delicate pots. Close the canopy, tie it down, and store it in a shed or garage if possible. Lightweight chairs—especially rattan or aluminium—should be stacked against a sheltered wall or laid flat, and any heavy tables can be strapped to the ground.
For items that must remain outdoors, consider fitted covers with built-in tie-downs. These canvas tarps are UV- and water-resistant and come in standard or custom sizes, providing a quick way to keep furniture from being blown away.
Preventing Water Damage
Water butts often sit on the edge of a yard, ready to overflow when rain hits. Ensure the overflow outlet points away from the house, and if the barrel is full, release a small amount of water now so it can accommodate the coming downpour without spilling onto foundations.
Check drainage and structural elements
Leaves and moss quickly clog gutters and downpipes, turning a heavy rain into a flood risk. On a calm day, use a ladder to scoop debris from gutters, then clear drain covers and gullies at ground level with a leaf grabber. Verify that downpipe outlets are free of blockages.
Walking the perimeter of your property, give each fence panel a firm push. A loose post or rotting board is the first to give way, allowing wind to get behind the fence and bring down the whole line. Inspect post bases for soft wood, brace any weak sections with a timber brace angled into the ground, and wedge panels with clips or off-cuts.
While the wind is still low, tighten shed doors and lock windows. Examine the roof for any felt that is lifting at the edges; once wind gets underneath, the material can peel off in minutes, exposing tools and stored items to rain.
Read Also: How to transform small gardens with better plant layering
Securing Greenhouses
In greenhouses, close every vent and door. Counter-intuitive as it sounds, sealed openings prevent wind from entering and lifting the structure, which can cause panes to pop out. Replace any missing glazing clips and move pots away from the glass to reduce impact if a break occurs.
Heavy containers are another common source of trouble. Gather pots against a sheltered wall, placing the heaviest ones on the outside of the group. Hanging baskets should be taken down and stored securely, as their brackets can loosen and swing wildly in a gale.
For those with many large planters, a sturdy plant caddy makes relocation simple; a few bricks or pot feet added around the base can also improve stability without much effort.
Preparing for High Winds
A wheelie bin full of recycling is light, tall and easy to blow over, and with wind it can travel a surprising distance. If your bins have been emptied this week, bring them in off the street as soon as you can and wedge them somewhere sheltered, such as between the house and a fence, or tucked behind a wall.
Facing them with the handles into the wind makes them less likely to tip, and a couple of bricks or a heavy bag of compost inside will add weight. If your collection day falls on Friday, check your council’s website before putting bins out tonight, as some suspend collections during storms. A set of bin lid straps or locks from Amazon stops a week’s recycling from being scattered around, while a bin store is a longer-term fix that keeps bins secure, out of sight, and protected all year round.
The trees that dominate an outdoor space are easy to overlook. A quick visual inspection for dead, cracked or hanging branches, especially over paths, roofs, or parked cars, can prevent hazardous debris. Removing these limbs now avoids the need for emergency work later when conditions are unsafe.
Dead wood is typically brittle and lighter in color, with no leaves on it, making it easier to spot. Small branches can be cut down with telescopic loppers or a pruning saw, which are valuable investments for winter pruning. This helps prevent damage to paths, roofs, greenhouses, cables, or parked cars.