How to Protect Your Awning During Long Island Nor'easters

Nor'easters are a fact of life on Long Island. From October through April — and occasionally outside those months — rotating coastal storms can deliver 40–60-mph sustained winds, heavy rain, and sometimes significant snow to Nassau and Suffolk Counties with 12–24 hours of warning. For awning owners, a nor'easter is the single greatest risk to their investment. Awnings that are properly prepared survive nor'easters without a scratch. Awnings that are left extended or improperly secured can suffer damage ranging from torn fabric to bent frames to complete structural failure.

After 20 years of awning installations and repair calls following Long Island storms, I want to give you the complete picture of what to do before, during, and after a nor'easter to protect your awning.

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Pre-Storm Preparation Checklist

Post this somewhere you will remember to check it when the forecast calls for a nor'easter:

48 hours before predicted storm arrival:

• [ ] Check the forecast — identify the projected wind speed and gust peaks. NOAA's local Long Island forecast includes wind speed forecasts by hour. Any forecast with sustained winds above 20 mph or gusts above 30 mph warrants awning retraction.
• [ ] Confirm all awnings are operational. Test retraction now so you are not discovering a stuck motor or mechanical issue on the day of the storm.
• [ ] Verify that your motorized awning's wind sensor is calibrated and functional. Test it manually by triggering the remote and confirming the motor responds.

24 hours before storm:

• [ ] Retract all retractable awnings, manual or motorized.
• [ ] Lock the manual override handle or crank to prevent wind pressure from extending the awning.
• [ ] For fixed canvas awnings that have removable panels: remove them and store flat indoors or in the garage.
• [ ] Secure any loose furniture, plants, or equipment under or near awnings that could become projectiles and impact the fabric.

Day of storm:

• [ ] Verify all retractable awnings are fully retracted — walk the exterior and visually confirm.
• [ ] Double-check that any crank handles are stored or that motorized awnings are powered off (to prevent accidental extension by the controller).
• [ ] If you have a manual wind sensor setting, ensure it is set correctly.

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How to Retract Your Awning: A Step-by-Step Guide

Motorized Awning (With Wind Sensor)

If your motorized awning has a properly calibrated wind sensor, it will retract automatically when wind speed exceeds the threshold. However, do not rely on the sensor alone for major storm events:

1. Manually initiate retraction using the remote control at least 24 hours before storm arrival — do not wait for the sensor to trigger.
2. Press the "retract" or "close" button on your remote. The awning should begin retracting smoothly. Listen for any grinding or hesitation.
3. Allow the awning to fully retract until the motor stops and the arms are fully folded against the mounting head.
4. Confirm full retraction by looking at the awning head — you should see a compact, tight roll with no fabric hanging loose.
5. If your awning has a manual lock: engage it.
6. Power off the motor at the wall switch (if accessible) to prevent any accidental extension via remote.

Motorized Awning (Without Wind Sensor)

Follow the same procedure as above. Pre-storm manual retraction is essential without a sensor — your awning will not retract itself.

Note: This is the exact reason we recommend wind sensors for all Long Island motorized awning installations. If your motor does not have one, consider retrofitting one. Cost is approximately $250–$450 installed. One saved awning repair pays for multiple sensor retrofits.

Manual (Crank-Operated) Awning

1. Locate the crank handle — it stores in a bracket on the wall or inside the house for most models.
2. Insert the handle into the crank socket on the motor head (usually accessible from below the awning head rail).
3. Turn the crank clockwise (for most models) to retract. A typical 12–14-foot awning takes 30–60 turns to fully retract.
4. Continue turning until the fabric is fully wound and the arms are fully folded.
5. Store the crank handle indoors.
6. If your awning has a manual lock lever: engage it. This prevents the awning from extending under wind pressure.

Important: If you notice the fabric is not wrapping evenly — bunching on one side or showing wrinkles — stop and adjust by temporarily extending slightly and re-attempting retraction. An unevenly wound roll can create stress points in the fabric over time.

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What Wind Speed Is the Safe Limit?

Awning manufacturers typically rate their products for operation at up to 20–35 mph depending on the model. These ratings apply to normal operating conditions (occasional gusts while the awning is in use). For a storm with sustained winds and prolonged exposure, the limit is much lower:

Our guidelines for Long Island awning owners:

• Under 15 mph sustained: Normal use OK
• 15–20 mph sustained: Extended use acceptable; monitor the forecast; prepare to retract
• 20–25 mph sustained: Retract; extended awning use not advisable
• Above 25 mph or gusts above 35 mph: Awning should be retracted, period

For nor'easters, which can deliver 50+ mph gusts, there is no question — retract as early as possible and leave the awning retracted until the storm fully passes and winds have subsided below 20 mph sustained for at least 2–3 hours.

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Common Damage Scenarios and How to Avoid Them

Scenario 1: Awning Extended Through High Winds

An awning left extended during a nor'easter typically suffers one or more of: arm kinking or bending, fabric tearing along seam lines, arm bracket pulling from the wall, or complete arm failure at the spring mechanism. The longer the awning is extended in high wind, the worse the damage compounds.

Prevention: Retract 24 hours before any storm with forecast winds above 20 mph sustained.

Scenario 2: Debris Impact

Even fully retracted awnings can be damaged by storm debris — branches, aerial objects, roof shingles from neighboring homes. This is less common but not rare during severe nor'easters.

Prevention: If you have trees overhanging or adjacent to the awning head, consider having a tree service prune overhanging branches before storm season. Removing the largest potential projectiles reduces the risk significantly.

Scenario 3: Ice Loading

In nor'easters with significant snow or freezing rain, ice can accumulate in the folds of a partially retracted awning or on the cover cassette of a retracted awning. Ice loading can damage the roll mechanism or the fabric if the awning is subsequently extended before ice melts.

Prevention: After a snow/ice storm, wait until temperatures rise above freezing and any ice has melted before operating the awning. Never force an icy awning open.

Scenario 4: Manual Awning Left Extended

This is the most common damage scenario we see. The homeowner was not home when the storm arrived, did not have anyone available to retract the manual awning, and the storm damaged it.

Prevention: If you own a manual awning and travel frequently or have an active schedule that could conflict with storm prep, invest in a motorized retrofit with a wind sensor. The sensor retracts it whether you are home or not.

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Post-Storm Inspection: What to Check

After the storm passes and wind has subsided below 15 mph, before you extend the awning, conduct this inspection:

Visual inspection from below (awning retracted):

• Look at the mounting brackets — any cracking, pulling, or gaps between bracket and wall
• Look at the arm sections visible through the cassette opening — any visible bends or kinks
• Check the roller/cassette housing for impact damage

First extension (slow and monitored):

• Extend the awning 2–3 feet slowly and stop
• Look at both arm sections from the side — they should extend evenly and in parallel
• Listen for any grinding, clicking, or unusual resistance in the motor or crank
• Look at the fabric as it extends — no tears, holes, or unusual stress patterns

Full extension:

• Extend to full deployment
• Walk under the awning and look up at the fabric — any tears, punctures, or stress marks
• Look at the arm positions — both arms should be fully extended to the same depth, level, and parallel
• Check the fabric tension — it should be taut and even, not saggy in the center

If you find damage:

Do not continue using the awning. Retract it and call us. Many storm damage repairs are straightforward and less expensive when addressed immediately rather than after further stress on damaged components. Call Long Island Shade Co. at (234) 567-8900 — we prioritize post-storm repair calls during nor'easter season.

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Insurance Claims for Awning Storm Damage

Awning damage from nor'easters is generally covered under the "windstorm" or "storm damage" peril of standard homeowner's insurance policies in New York State, subject to your deductible. Here is how to document the claim:

1. Document before touching anything. Photograph the damage from multiple angles before any repairs or further movement. Include photos that show the context (where the awning is mounted, the overall damage scope).

1. Get a professional assessment. Call Long Island Shade Co. for a damage assessment. We provide written repair estimates that describe the specific components damaged and the cause — insurance adjusters require this documentation.

1. File promptly. Most homeowner's insurance policies in NY require storm damage claims to be filed within a reasonable period (often 30–60 days of the event). Do not delay.

1. Understand your deductible. Many LI homeowner's policies have separate wind/storm deductibles (often 1–2% of the home's insured value) that are higher than the all-peril deductible. For a $600,000-insured home, a 1% wind deductible means you pay the first $6,000 — which may exceed the repair cost.

1. Retain documentation of original installation. If you have your original installation invoice showing the awning value, this helps establish replacement cost in an insurance claim.

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Year-Round Storm Preparation

Nor'easter season is October through April, but tropical systems can occasionally affect Long Island in late summer and early fall. The preparation and retraction procedures are identical regardless of storm type.

Our recommendation: establish a personal rule — every time the forecast shows wind gusts above 35 mph, retract every retractable awning. No exceptions. This single habit will prevent the vast majority of awning storm damage on Long Island.

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Emergency Repair Service

Long Island Shade Co. maintains emergency repair capacity during and immediately following major storms. If you have storm-damaged awning components that create a safety hazard (awning hanging from wall, arm dragging, fabric flapping), call us at (234) 567-8900 for priority scheduling. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

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