This past week the wind was atrocious, and many of us saw some slight fence damage, perhaps roof damage, or are still looking for our trash cans. The wind in Idaho can often be powerful and unpredictable but rarely is it as bad as it was this past week. When the wind picks up like that it makes it hard to go outside. It is tough to walk against, it is tough to open car doors, and you have to be on the lookout for things flying toward your head. There are certain things it is good to bring inside when the wind gets to a certain point, or you may need to say goodbye to them, not knowing where they will end up. Here are some items to tie down or bring in the next time a wind storm like this past week comes blowing through the Magic Valley.

Anything with Wheels

Credit: Florian Klauer on Unsplash
Credit: Florian Klauer on Unsplash
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When it comes to leaving things outside during the wind, don't leave a tricycle, a bicycle, or anything with wheels unless it is chained up or in a good spot that it can't start going down the street. If you have a nice bicycle, you won't want it to fall over and suffer any damage, so make sure to put it in a shed, garage, or someplace safe to make sure it doesn't end up a few houses down.

Trampoline

Credit: jldeines
Credit: jldeines
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While it seems like a trampoline should be safe in your backyard, in Idaho it is anything but. There have been many trampolines picked up from the ground by the wind and tossed over fences, caught on fences, or ended up rolling down the street. It seems like they should be heavy, but Mother Nature is stronger. Make sure to tie or weigh them down before the next windstorm.

Garden or Yard Decorations

Credit: ddea
Credit: ddea
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Certain garden and yard decorations should be brought in when the wind reaches a certain speed. Bird feeders, birdhouses, wind mills, yard flags, or anything else that you don't want to lose should be brought inside until the strong gusts die down. Hopefully, no birds are in the birdhouse during the storm, or they may be moving without knowing it.

Small Animals

Credit: Kanashi on Unsplash
Credit: Kanashi on Unsplash
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If you have chickens, cats, small dogs, or other animals you let live outside or roam outside typically, make sure they are in a safe place during the wind storm. You may see animals fly that aren't intended to, and while the thought of a cat or tiny dog going past a window in the air sounds comical, the poor animal would be traumatized.

Anything Inflatable

Credit: nazdravie
Credit: nazdravie
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Most inflatables are typically put away during the winter, but as spring approaches and the weather gets nicer, if a wind storm comes, you better put those inflatables away or you may be waving goodbye as they float away like a balloon. They are already light, and with how strong the wind can get in the Magic Valley, they will take off and fly into other counties, and may not stop until in a neighboring state. 

Tarps or Window Guards

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Credit: Matt Bero on Unsplash
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Some residents in Idaho like to use tarps over their firewood, and window guards for their cars, or perhaps you have something else you need to be covered. If you are someone that likes to leave your window guard up to dry after a good snow or rain, make sure to put it someplace else if doing so with a wind storm in the forecast or you may be buying a new one. Tarps, need to be weighed down or removed as well, as they will potentially tare or take off like a kite. 

Trash Cans

Credit: Barthelemy de Mazenod on Unsplash
Credit: Barthelemy de Mazenod on Unsplash
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If a wind storm happens on trash day, don't be surprised if when you go to throw something away next if your trash can is missing or a few houses down. It is best to bring them into your yard, garage, or near a wall, blocking them from the wind. Watching them go down the street can be entertaining, but it is a huge inconvenience to have to chase after yours if it gets taken out by the wind. Hopefully, a full one doesn't get knocked over, or that is a whole different type of mess. 

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While there is no projection of another wind storm coming at the moment, as we all know, in Idaho it can happen anytime. Make sure to prepare if one comes into the forecast, and if one starts up out of nowhere, make sure to get outside and chase down your belongings before they take off. As the weather gets warmer and spring begins, we will begin to be outside more, bringing more of our possessions outside too, but if the wind chooses, it may steal them on any given day.

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