Arkansas tornado season runs from March through May, with a secondary season in late fall. The best time to prepare your fence for severe weather is before the storms arrive. This checklist helps you identify and fix weak points that could turn your fence into expensive debris.
Pre-Storm Fence Inspection Checklist
Posts & Foundations
- ☐ Check all posts for lean or wobble — push firmly on each post
- ☐ Inspect the base of wood posts for rot (probe with a screwdriver — soft wood means rot)
- ☐ Verify metal posts aren’t rusted through at the ground line
- ☐ Check that concrete footings aren’t cracked or heaving
- ☐ Ensure corner and gate posts are extra secure (these take the most stress)
Panels, Rails & Connections
- ☐ Look for loose or missing screws, nails, and brackets
- ☐ Check that chain link tension wire is tight (sagging means weak spots)
- ☐ Inspect wood panels for cracks, splits, or warping
- ☐ Verify that fence rail connections are tight — loose rails become projectiles in high wind
- ☐ Replace any rusted tie wire, clamps, or brace bands on chain link
- ☐ Check vinyl fencing for cracks at connection points (vinyl gets brittle in cold weather)
Gates
- ☐ Verify gates close and latch securely — an unlatched gate is the first to go in wind
- ☐ Check hinges for rust, looseness, or misalignment
- ☐ Ensure gate posts are plumb and firmly set
- ☐ Add a gate drop rod if you don’t have one (prevents gate from lifting in wind)
Surroundings
- ☐ Trim tree branches that overhang or touch your fence (falling branches are the #1 cause of fence damage in storms)
- ☐ Remove dead trees near the fence line — a dead tree will come down eventually
- ☐ Clear climbing vines that add wind load to the fence
- ☐ Secure or remove objects near the fence that could become projectiles (planters, decorations, trash cans)
Quick Fixes You Can Do This Weekend
- Tighten loose fasteners — a $5 box of screws can prevent a $5,000 fence replacement
- Replace rotted post bases — a post with a rotted base will snap in moderate wind
- Add concrete to shallow post holes — posts should be set at least 1/3 their height deep (a 6-foot post needs 2 feet underground)
- Secure gates — add a slide bolt or drop rod so gates can’t swing free in wind
When to Call a Professional
Some issues require professional assessment and repair:
- Multiple leaning posts (indicates foundation problems)
- Fence sections that move as a unit when pushed (structural failure)
- Posts set less than 18 inches deep
- Fence over 15 years old with visible deterioration
- Any section along a property line where failure could damage a neighbor’s property or vehicles
Document Your Fence Now
One more thing: take photos of your fence before it gets damaged. Walk the entire perimeter and photograph every section in good condition. Store the photos with a date stamp. If a tornado hits, these “before” photos make insurance claims dramatically easier.
Need a professional fence inspection before storm season? Call AF&G at (501) 771-9929. We serve all of Arkansas and the Mid-South. Emergency Storm Response Services