Strong straight-line wind can push a garage door in, bow its panels, bend the track or knock it off its rollers. Before you press the button, look at the panels, the track on both sides and the hardware. If the door is bent, crooked or scrapes, disconnect the opener and call a technician.
The National Weather Service describes a derecho as a widespread, long-lived windstorm tied to a band of fast-moving thunderstorms. It counts as one when the damage swath runs more than 240 miles and gusts reach at least 58 mph along most of its path. The University of Illinois Extension says a derecho passes through part of the state about every two years and that straight-line winds can exceed 90 mph in extreme cases.
For an example of how strong the wind gets, the Lincoln office of the National Weather Service recorded a 72 mph gust at the airport in Bloomington during the July 15, 2024 derecho, and a public report of 105 mph near the Stark and Marshall county line. It listed snapped trees, downed power lines and damaged roofs and siding. A garage door is a large flat surface, so it takes that pressure all at once.
| What you see | What it likely means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Door bowed inward or outward in the middle | A panel or its struts took wind pressure | Do not run it; have it checked |
| Track bent or pulled away from the wall | The door can bind or fall out of the track | Stop using the door and call for service |
| Door off the rollers on one side | The door came off its track in a gust | Do not lift or lower it; see garage door repair |
| Opener hanging loose or the rail bent | The mounting was pulled by the door movement | Pull the release cord and keep the door closed |
| Debris dents or cracked window panels | Flying branches or siding hit the door | Keep clear of glass and cover the opening |
Storm damage varies. We confirm the cause on site.
A bent track or a door off its rollers can leave a spring or cable loose or under strain. Never adjust or remove them yourself and never run the opener against a door that binds. See spring repair.
Look for bowing, creases, dents, cracked windows and gaps along the sides and top. Do not stand under or in front of a door that looks crooked.
Check both sides of the track, the hinges and the rollers. Note any bend, gap or roller that has left the track.
If the door is closed, pull the red release cord so the opener cannot push a damaged door. Keep the door closed and clear of people.
A sound door moves smoothly and stays where you leave it. If it scrapes, jerks or feels heavy, stop.
Take wide and close pictures before anything is moved, and keep any receipts for temporary repairs.
A DASMA article notes that doors facing the wind are more vulnerable, and that when wind gets into a garage it can push up on the garage roof. A door that meets or exceeds code limits damage from many strong winds, but no garage door withstands a direct hit from a severe tornado. Wind testing for doors is covered by ANSI/DASMA 108 and impact from flying debris by ANSI/DASMA 115.
If your door was bowed or bent, ask your technician whether your model is wind-rated and whether it can be reinforced or whether a new door makes more sense. See tornado season and your garage door for more on wind and doors.
The Illinois Attorney General warns residents to expect repair scams after storms. Its advice: get written estimates from more than one contractor, do not let anyone rush you, get every contract term in writing and keep a copy, never pay in cash and do not pay in full until the work is done and you are satisfied. Be cautious with anyone who knocks on your door offering repairs or inspections.
If you sign a contract because of a visit to your home, you have three business days to cancel. A quote for a door should list each part and the labor.
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Illinois, including Urbana, Bloomington and Decatur. Call or send your details with a few photos and we book the soonest visit. See also a door off its track after ice or impact.
Yes. Strong wind can bow panels, bend the track, pull hardware loose or push the door off its rollers. Debris can also dent panels and crack windows.
Only if it looks straight and moves smoothly by hand. If it is bent, crooked or scrapes, disconnect the opener and call a technician.
The National Weather Service defines it as a widespread, long-lived windstorm tied to a band of fast-moving thunderstorms, with a damage swath over 240 miles long and gusts of at least 58 mph.
Be careful. The Illinois Attorney General advises written estimates from several contractors, a written contract, no cash and no full payment before the work is done.
We repair and install in these cities. Each page has local notes, prices and reviews.
Call (312) 620-1952 or send your details for the soonest visit.