Washington's strongest winds usually blow from the south or southwest in late fall and winter. Before a storm, secure loose objects and check your door; after it, look for dents, a crooked door and loose hardware. If the power goes out, use the manual release. Stop using a door that scrapes, hangs crooked or feels heavy.
What wind looks like in Washington
The Western Regional Climate Center says the strongest winds in western Washington are generally from the south or southwest and occur during the late fall and winter. Along the coast, winds of gale force occur frequently in winter. These are the same months as the wet season, so doors face wind, rain and sometimes power cuts at once.
The National Weather Service says that when winds are sustained at 40 to 50 mph, isolated wind damage is possible, and that widespread significant damage can occur at higher speeds. A High Wind Warning means sustained, strong winds with even stronger gusts are happening. Offices set their own criteria for it.
What wind does to a garage door
A garage door is a large flat surface, so wind pushes on it hard. The usual problems after a storm are a section bent by debris, loose track brackets, hardware shaken out of position and a door pushed out of its track. The National Weather Service notes that high winds can blow objects around, so loose items in the yard matter.
If your door was built for lighter wind or is old, a replacement may be a better answer than another repair. Ask for the wind rating in the door's documentation, and see new garage doors for what is available.
Before, during and after a wind storm
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before the storm | Secure lawn furniture and bins, check the seal and the track, know where your release handle is | Loose objects can hit the door. The state advises securing anything that might be turned loose |
| During the storm | Keep the door closed and stay away from it | A damaged door can bind or come off the track |
| After the storm | Walk around the door, look at the track and hardware, then lift by hand with the opener disconnected | A stuck or heavy door means damage |
| Power out | Use the manual release, keep the door closed when you are not using it | Washington's emergency agency says to locate the manual override |
The National Weather Service advises that outdoor objects should be secured under a Wind Advisory.
If the power goes out
The Washington Emergency Management Division tells people with an electric opener to locate the manual override, and to find their utility's emergency information before a storm. Learn where the red release handle is and how to lift the door by hand while the power is on, because a door can be heavy.
The state warns never to use a generator inside your home, garage or carport. Keep the generator outdoors and well away from the garage.
See power outage and your garage door for the release steps.
A short check after a storm
Disconnect the opener
Pull the red release handle so the opener cannot push a damaged door.
Look at panels and hardware
Check for dents, cracks and loose brackets. Do not touch the springs or cables.
Lift the door a little
A sound door moves smoothly and stays where you leave it. If it binds, scrapes or feels heavy, stop.
Check the seal and the track
Look for gaps, loose track brackets and debris in the track.
Photograph any damage
Take wide and close photos before anything is repaired.
When to stop using the door
A bent section, a crooked door or one that scrapes puts extra strain on the springs, cables and opener. Do not keep running the opener and do not adjust a spring or cable yourself. See garage door repair and spring repair for what a technician checks.
Who to call
Emil Garage Doors repairs garage doors, springs, cables and openers and installs new doors in Washington, including Olympia, Bellingham and Bremerton. Call or send your details with a few photos and we book the soonest visit.
Questions people ask
Can wind damage a garage door?
Yes. Strong wind and the debris it carries can bend sections, loosen track brackets and push a door out of its track. Check the door after a storm.
What should I do to my garage door before a wind storm?
Secure loose objects in the yard, check the seal and the track and learn where the manual release handle is. Keep the door closed during the storm.
How do I open the garage door if the power goes out?
Use the red manual release handle, and lift the door by hand with care since it can be heavy. The Washington Emergency Management Division advises locating the manual override ahead of time.
Is it safe to run a generator in the garage?
No. The state warns never to use a generator inside your home, garage or carport.
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Keep reading
Sources
- Western Regional Climate Center: Washington climate narrative (wet season, rainfall ranges, winter winds)
- Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division: Severe Storm (manual override, generators, utility information)
- National Weather Service: Wind safety (damage at sustained winds, securing outdoor objects)
- National Weather Service: Wind warnings and advisories (what a High Wind Warning and Wind Advisory mean)