This doesn't apply to the OP, but, if I put my awning out "patio style", I always tie it down. I've lost a couple due to wind (one tornado) that weren't tied down. If I put the awning out regular 3 point connection, It varies. It does help to keep the awning from shaking the camper. If it's too windy, or if it looks like a storm is coming-in, the awning gets rolled-up. As for the tornado, I was at Disney World, on a bright sunny day, and while we were at the park, a storm with what probably was an f0 tornado, came through the campfround. One leg of the awning was out patio style, and that side went up over the camper and broke the upper rail. The other side, connected to the camper survived ok.