Wet And Windy: Storm Éowyn In The West

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Post on Jan 22, 2025

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Wet and Windy: Storm Éowyn in the West - A Personal Account (and some survival tips!)

Okay, folks, buckle up. Let's talk about Storm Éowyn. Remember that absolute beast? I mean, seriously, it was biblical. I live in West Wales, which, let’s just say, isn't exactly known for its calm weather. But Éowyn? She was something else entirely. This wasn’t your average “bit of a blow,” this was a full-on, cinematic, wind-whipped, rain-lashed assault on everything we hold dear (mostly our sanity, and my garden fence).

The Day the Shed Nearly Flew Away

I’ll never forget it. I was working from home, you know, all cozy and warm, when I heard this whistling sound. Not the usual wind-in-the-trees kind of whistling, but the this-is-serious kind. I looked out the window – and almost had a heart attack. My beloved, slightly dilapidated, garden shed was tilting precariously, like a drunken sailor about to take a header into the rose bushes. My poor roses!

My first thought? "Oh crap." My second thought? "Get the camera!" Yep, priorities, people. I managed to get some pretty epic footage of the shed battling the elements, before grabbing my trusty wellies and heading out to wrestle it back into submission. I'm pretty sure my neighbors thought I'd lost it completely. Let's just say, securing that shed involved a lot of rope, some brute force, and a healthy dose of swearing. I almost lost a fingernail in the process, so, lesson learned!

Practical Tips for Surviving a Storm Like Éowyn

So, what did I learn from this near-shed-catastrophe, besides the fact I need stronger rope? Quite a bit actually! Here's my advice for those of you living in windy areas:

1. Secure Loose Objects: This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised. Before a storm hits, go outside and do a sweep. Anything that could become a projectile (garden furniture, potted plants, that wonky gnome you've been meaning to chuck out) needs to be secured or brought inside. I really should have secured the shed better months ago. This saved me a lot of trouble.

2. Protect your windows: Strong winds can cause damage to windows, leading to potential water ingress. Board up any vulnerable windows or use strong tape to secure them to the frames. I have been meaning to buy better quality storm windows for a while.

3. Check your drainage: Make sure your gutters and downpipes are clear. Blocked drains can cause flooding during heavy rain. I actually discovered a partially blocked gutter thanks to Éowyn - saved me a bigger headache later!

4. Have an emergency plan: Know where to go if you experience power outages or flooding. Keep a flashlight, radio, and essential supplies on hand.

5. Embrace the chaos (a little bit): Okay, you can't stop the wind, you can't stop the rain (most of the time). Embrace the craziness. Get comfy, watch movies, drink hot chocolate, and appreciate the power of nature (from a safe distance, of course). It’s sometimes fun to experience the thrill of a good storm.

The Aftermath

After Éowyn had blown herself out, the cleanup was, well, let’s just say it was extensive. The garden looked like a tornado hit it, and I spent the next week picking up debris (and trying to salvage what was left of my poor roses). But hey, at least the shed survived. Barely.

So there you have it—my very personal and slightly dramatic account of Storm Éowyn and my battle with a rebellious garden shed. Remember, be prepared, stay safe, and maybe invest in some really strong rope. You never know when you might need to wrestle a shed back into submission. And for goodness sake, secure your outdoor furniture. You’ll thank me later.