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What to do if…
you see shingles, tiles, or roofing material missing after high winds

Short answer

Stay off the roof and keep people away from the area below it. Photograph the damage, then contact your insurer (or your landlord/agent) to arrange safe temporary weatherproofing.

Do not do these things

  • Do not climb onto the roof or a ladder “just to look” (wind-damaged roofs can be unstable and slippery).
  • Do not pull at loose tiles/sheets or try to “tidy” hanging material from below.
  • Do not start non-urgent repairs before speaking to your insurer if you expect to claim (you can still do emergency steps to stop damage getting worse).
  • Do not pay a random door-knocker in cash or under pressure.
  • Do not throw away broken pieces or damaged items if you may need them as evidence (unless they’re unsafe to keep).

What to do now

  1. Make the area safer immediately. Keep everyone away from the outside drop-zone under the damaged section. If there are fallen tiles/sheets, keep pets/children away and avoid walking on sharp debris.
  2. Check for urgent danger from a safe place. From indoors or ground level, look for signs the roof/ceiling could be unsafe (new sagging, cracking sounds, bulging ceilings, major water pouring in, or debris still falling).
    • If you think there’s an immediate risk to life or the structure, leave the area/building and call 999.
  3. Limit water damage inside. If water is coming in:
    • Put buckets/containers under drips; move valuables and electrics away.
    • If water is near light fittings/sockets, switch off power at the consumer unit for the affected area (only if you can do so safely and your hands/feet are dry).
  4. Document everything before you move or clean. Take clear photos/video from the ground and inside (wide shots + close-ups). Note the date/time and what the wind was like. If safe, keep any pieces that have fallen.
  5. Contact the right responsible party.
    • Owner-occupier: Call your home insurer (or home emergency cover provider) and follow their instructions for emergency temporary repairs.
    • Tenant: Report it to your landlord/letting agent immediately in writing (email/text) and ask what emergency cover/contractor they use.
    • Leasehold/flat: Contact the managing agent/freeholder if they’re responsible for the roof.
  6. Arrange safe temporary weatherproofing (without going on the roof). If rain is expected and water is entering, your insurer/landlord may send an emergency roofer to fit a temporary cover (for example, sheeting). If you must arrange it yourself, keep receipts and take “before/after” photos.
  7. If utilities are affected, use the correct emergency route.
    • If a power line is down or a cable is sparking: stay well back and call 999.
    • If you smell gas: leave immediately. In Great Britain, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. In Northern Ireland, use your local gas network’s emergency number (if you can’t find it quickly and there’s immediate danger, call 999).

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether it’s a full re-roof, partial repair, or an insurance dispute.
  • You do not need to clean up perfectly or dispose of everything immediately (unless it’s unsafe).
  • You do not need to pick a long-term contractor until you’ve spoken to your insurer/landlord and the property is temporarily weatherproof.

Important reassurance

Seeing parts of your roof missing is genuinely alarming, but the safest “win” is simple: keep people away, stop water getting in, and hand the roof work to someone equipped to do it safely. Most of the cost and stress comes from secondary water damage—getting a temporary cover in place quickly helps.

Scope note

These are first steps for the first hours/day after wind damage. Claims, surveys, contractor selection, and longer repairs vary by policy, tenancy, and building type.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, engineering, or insurance advice. If you think anyone is in immediate danger, leave and call emergency services. If you are unsure whether something is safe, treat it as unsafe and get professional help.

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