Right now
Get inside. Stay away from windows.
Derechos, microbursts, and severe straight-line winds can topple trees and power lines with little warning. If you hear sustained roaring wind, treat it like a tornado warning.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
If you are indoors
Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor if winds are extreme. Close all interior doors to help compartmentalize the building. Secure or move outdoor items (furniture, grills, trash cans) that could become projectiles, if you can do so safely before the wind arrives.
If you are outdoors
Get inside a sturdy building. Avoid wide-span structures like gymnasiums and warehouses. Stay away from trees, power lines, and signs. Flying debris is the primary danger in straight-line wind events.
If you are driving
Pull over and park. Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on. Avoid parking under trees, signs, or overpasses. If debris is hitting your vehicle, crouch below the windows. If you are driving a high-profile vehicle, such as a truck, van, RV, or anything towing a trailer, the risk of being blown over is much higher. Get off the road and wait the wind out. In any vehicle, keep your distance from trucks and trailers, since one strong gust can flip one onto its side.
If the power goes out
High wind events cause widespread outages. Follow the same protocols as any extended outage: generator outdoors only, flashlights instead of candles, keep the freezer closed. When you run a generator, keep it at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent, not just outside a wall. Carbon monoxide from a generator is odorless and can seep back indoors and kill. Report downed lines to your utility.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Check for damage
Walk your property carefully after winds subside. Look for downed lines, damaged roofing, broken branches lodged in trees (widow-makers), and structural shifts.
Do not touch downed lines
Assume all downed lines are live. Stay at least 35 feet away. Report them to your utility company immediately.
Clear debris safely
Wear gloves, sturdy shoes, and eye protection. Be cautious of unstable tree limbs still overhead. If a tree has fallen on your home or a power line, do not attempt to remove it yourself.
Sources: NWS High Wind Safety, Ready.gov Severe Weather, NOAA Storm Prediction Center Derecho Information, NWS Thunderstorm Safety. All safety claims verified against primary sources. Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
This guide is not professional emergency management advice. It is a plain-language starting point for someone in an active hazard right now.