We never did get much strong wind... Glad your place survived yours! I think those roll shutters that they have in hurricane country are really expensive too... but they'd be good for both protection in winds and security. When we were in Florida I was impressed with all the big money houses on the beach with those roll shutters on all the windows, they could seal it up like the Batmobile ;~).
Good luck with your gardening prep, take pictures, of course!
Becky