After a major storm, a blown down fence can feel annoying, but is usually preventable. Most of the time, there is a simple and obvious solution, and it most likely refers to the posts.
Fence panels let the wind through, but the posts are what hold the fence together. If the posts are set shallow, or weren’t set with concrete, they become as secure as the surrounding dirt. For a 6-foot fence, and depending on how exposed the yard is, they should go at least 600mm into the ground. If the ground is especially hard to dig, some installers may skip on their depth.
The post’s mix is important as well. If there is the right amount, and if it’s given enough time to set before the panels are installed, it will hold the post in place. If the concrete is too wet and hasn’t set, or soil is backfilled, then it will become set. The fence will be fine until the panels are exposed to the wind.
Consider adding gravel boards to the bottom of your fence panels if you don’t already have them. They elevate the fence panels to prevent them from sitting in water-logged soil, which encourages wood rot. Panels that touch the soil after a rainy day will rot much quicker than a fence panel that has a clearance and does not contact the soil.
If you are replacing a fallen fence, dig out all the old posts. It isn’t a good idea to leave the old posts and set new posts in the same old post holes. The soil becomes loosened around failed posts. It will not be the same if you were to set new posts in disturbed soil compared to setting new posts in soil that has never been disturbed.
It also matters what style of panel you are using. Solid panels that touch from top to bottom do not allow for wind to pass through and will lead to a loss of fence to the storm. Panels that are slatted and panels that leave gaps do not force the same strain on the posts. This is an important factor to consider if your garden is exposed and you are tempted to stay with the same style of panels that were previously used.