The National Weather Service calls the Texas Panhandle one of the windiest regions in the United States. A fence here has to handle that every year, not just in a rare storm. Here is what to think about and what to ask before you build or replace one.
How windy it gets
According to the National Weather Service office in Amarillo, persistent low pressure east of the Rockies drives strong average winds from the southwest and west. Winds of 50 mph or more occur each year, most often in winter and spring, and strong cold fronts can bring northerly winds of 40 mph or more in winter. The NWS office's own look at daily data since 2004 found days averaging as much as 34.5 mph over the whole day.
Why fences fail in the wind
A solid privacy fence acts like a sail: the full face of the fence catches the wind, and that force ends up at the posts and where they meet the ground. Open designs such as pipe and cable, wire, or chain link without privacy slats let most of the wind pass through. That's why a leaning section, a snapped post at ground level or a gate that no longer latches are the usual signs of wind damage. Blowing tumbleweeds and debris piling against a fence add to the load.
Design choices to talk through
- Fence style. If you want privacy, ask whether a board-on-board or shadowbox layout suits your yard, and how its wind exposure compares with a solid panel. If privacy isn't the goal, an open fence takes far less wind.
- Posts. Posts carry the load. Ask what post material and size the company uses (wood or steel), how deep they set them, how far apart they space them, and how they set them in the ground.
- Height. A taller fence catches more wind. City of Amarillo Building Safety says most residential fences 8 feet or shorter don't need a permit, but height limits for front and rear yards and corner-lot rules still apply. See our permit guide.
- Gates. Wide gates on a windy side of the yard take a beating. Ask about the hinges, latches, gate posts and whether a drop rod or cane bolt is included.
- Material. Vinyl and composite products vary. Ask the contractor whether the product they propose is rated for the wind your property sees, and get that in writing. Our material comparison covers the trade-offs.
Before anyone digs
Texas law requires a call to 811 before digging, and fence posts count. Ask who places the 811 request. See calling 811 before setting fence posts.
After a windstorm
Take photos of the damage before anything is cleared, check your homeowner's policy, and get a written repair estimate. Be careful with door-to-door contractors who show up after storms and push you to sign on the spot (see our hiring checklist). For a leaning section or blown-down panels, see fence repair.
Where we fit in
This site is a free referral service, not a fence company. If you send a request, we pass it to one independent local fence contractor, who looks at your yard and quotes you directly.
General information only, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency linked below or a licensed professional before you start work.
Sources
- National Weather Service Amarillo: Climate Narrative for Amarillo
- National Weather Service Amarillo: Amarillo's Daily Average Wind Speeds (PDF)
- City of Amarillo Building Safety: Work Exempt From Permit
- Texas811: Homeowner / DIYer
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Related: Fence repair & wind damage · Wood privacy fences · Pipe & ranch fences · All guides