Cornwall is now under a red weather warning for wind, issued by the Met Office, covering St Austell and surrounding areas.

Further updates from the Met Office confirm that this has now escalated to a red weather warning, meaning both the impact and likelihood of disruption are high. Forecasts indicate gusts of 80–100mph or more, with violent gusts expected to persist for 2–3 hours in exposed areas. Gusts of up to 100mph are now being mentioned as a possibility, with reports of violent gusts lasting for sustained periods of 2–3 hours.

This is not typical weather for Cornwall. Most properties, fences, and garden structures are built to cope with prevailing south‑westerly winds — not sustained force coming from the north. Because of that, this storm is expected to place exceptional strain on fences, gates, roofs, and garden boundaries, significantly increasing the risk of damage and potential structural issues.

What we’re likely to see after the storm

Based on the latest forecasts and previous experience of severe wind events, we are expecting a higher‑than‑usual level of damage across the area.

From experience, the most common issues after this kind of weather tend to be:

• Fence panels blown out, leaning, or coming away from posts
• Garden gates twisted, damaged, or pulled off hinges
• Loose panels acting like sails in strong gusts
• Garden boundaries becoming unsafe or insecure
• Dislodged or damaged guttering and roofline components

These problems aren’t just inconvenient — they can quickly become serious safety risks, particularly where panels, gates, guttering, or other structures have been weakened or partially detached.

Emergency call-outs

⚠️ Important safety notice: During a red weather warning, conditions are extremely dangerous. We will not attend any call-outs while the red warning is in force. All emergency work will be assessed and scheduled once the warning has lifted and it is safe to do so.

Due to the severity of this storm and the red weather warning now in place, we expect a very high volume of enquiries once conditions improve. Our approach will be to prioritise dangerous and safety‑critical situations first.

We’re set up and ready to help once conditions are safe, with a focus on making properties safe again. This includes:

• Re‑securing loose or damaged fence panels
• Making gates safe and secure
• Stabilising garden boundaries
• Re‑fixing or securing guttering and roofline components, where they can be accessed safely from ground level or suitable access equipment

To be clear on scope during emergency call‑outs:

• We do not carry out full fencing replacements or new gate installations as part of emergency response work
• We attend to make safe and re‑secure, reducing risk and preventing further damage
• We do not carry out work on roofs or chimneys

Any roofing or chimney damage should be assessed and repaired by a qualified roofing specialist.

Due to the severity of this storm, we expect a high volume of enquiries once conditions improve. Our approach will be to prioritise dangerous and safety‑critical situations first. We’re set up and ready to help once conditions are safe, with a focus on making properties safe again by re-securing fences, gates, and garden boundaries properly.

We currently have limited availability for emergency call-outs tomorrow, due to the expected level of demand after the storm. Our priority will be:

• Making damaged areas safe
• Preventing further movement or collapse
• Securing fences and gates so they’re no longer a risk

We’re supporting customers across St Austell, St Blazey, Charlestown, Carlyon Bay, Pentewan, Bugle, Roche, Lostwithiel, St Stephen, Par, Mevagissey, Gorran Haven, and beyond.

If your fence or gate has been damaged

Given the forecast strength of the winds, we strongly advise against attempting any repairs while the storm is ongoing. If you’ve been affected, a few sensible steps:

• Check for any immediate safety issues
• Keep children and pets well clear of damaged areas
• Avoid quick fixes in high or gusty winds
• Get it looked at properly as soon as conditions allow

Trying to deal with fencing or gates in strong winds can be dangerous, especially with large panels.

Emergency call-out rates

Emergency call-outs are charged at a higher rate than standard work due to the short notice, prioritisation, and nature of storm-related repairs.

For this storm, our emergency call-out rate is £75 + VAT per hour, with a one-hour minimum.

• Any materials supplied or used will be added to the final invoice
• Any time beyond the first hour is charged at the same emergency rate

Need help once the storm has passed?

If your fence, gate, or garden boundary has been damaged, get in touch and we’ll talk through the next steps. As always, our focus is on doing things properly, safely, and with as little hassle for you as possible.

Stay safe today — and we’ll be here when the weather settles.

Storm Damage & Emergency Call-Out FAQs