The Wiregrass gets its share of rough weather. Wikipedia notes that tornadoes are a frequent risk in Dothan in spring, summer and fall, and that the city's tornado activity runs 79% above the U.S. average. Rain is heavy too: about 53.85 inches a year at the airport, with August the wettest month.
How storms break fences
- Wind on solid panels. A privacy fence acts like a sail; posts snap or lean.
- Soft ground. Wet sandy soil loosens its hold on posts.
- Falling limbs and trees. Usually local damage across one or two sections.
Building a fence that rides it out
- Set posts deep, with concrete at corners, ends and gates.
- Consider semi-privacy styles like shadowbox, which let some wind pass.
- Use strong rails and fasteners; ask what's used on the quote.
- Trim trees that overhang the fence line.
- Keep water moving away from post bases.
After a storm
Photograph the damage for insurance, check that pool gates still close and latch (Dothan requires pool barriers of at least 48 inches), and look at the posts before the boards. A repair quote will start there.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Dothan, Alabama
- City of Dothan Permits and Inspections: Fence Permit Application (updated 2/11/2020)
Sources checked November 10, 2026. Ordinances, forms and prices change, so the linked page has the last word.