Saw a video once where a guy just pulled the red emergency release cord to get his door down before a tornado. That thing is a lifesaver. My neighbor had the same problem last year and his car got hailed on. Makes me want to get a manual backup lock installed. Garage doors are the worst when they quit at the exact wrong time.
Oh man, that red cord is a total hero. My opener died right as a huge storm was rolling in last spring, and I was out there yanking that thing like a maniac. Got the door down just before the sky opened up and dumped golf ball sized hail everywhere. Scared me straight into getting a battery backup for the motor.