Storm Damage Checklist: What to Do After High Winds
A calm, step-by-step checklist for the hours and days after a storm hits your UK home, covering safety, photos, temporary fixes, insurance and repairs.
Named storms and autumn gales regularly bring down fences, lift roof tiles and blow trees onto gardens. The first hours after a storm matter less for repairs and more for safety and evidence. A methodical routine keeps you out of danger, protects your insurance position and stops a bad day becoming a worse one.
First: safety before anything else
- Stay indoors until the wind drops. Falling branches and flying debris cause most storm injuries.
- Keep away from fallen power lines. Treat every line as live. Call 105 to report it, or 999 if there is immediate danger.
- Smell gas? Open windows, do not use switches, leave and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
- Check for water near electrics. If ceilings are leaking onto lights or sockets, switch off at the consumer unit if you can do so safely.
- Do not climb onto the roof. Roof work belongs to trained roofers, particularly after wind or rain when surfaces are unstable.
Second: document before you tidy
Insurers usually want evidence. Photograph and film everything before cleaning up.
- Wide shots, then close-ups, with something for scale
- Damaged items and the area around them
- Date and time stamps on your phone
- Written notes of what you noticed and when
Keep damaged items if you can until your insurer says otherwise, and keep receipts for any emergency spending.
Third: inspect the outside
Walk around when conditions are safe, looking for:
| Area | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Roof | Missing, slipped or cracked tiles and slates, loose ridge, damaged chimney pots |
| Gutters | Detached sections, bent brackets, debris blockages |
| Walls | Damaged render, cracks, loose cladding |
| Fences and gates | Leaning panels, broken posts |
| Outbuildings | Lifted felt, broken doors, windows |
| Trees | Cracked limbs hanging over the property |
A fallen or hanging tree limb above your property is a job for a qualified tree surgeon. Do not cut it from below.
Fourth: check the inside
- Ceilings and top-floor walls for fresh brown stains
- Loft, from the hatch, for drips and daylight
- Window frames for gaps or draughts
- Chimneys and fireplaces for fallen soot or debris
If water is coming through, put a bucket under it, move belongings away, and push a pin into a bulging ceiling to drain it in a controlled way if safe. Avoid standing under a sagging ceiling.
Temporary fixes you can sensibly do
You have a duty to prevent further damage, and a sensible temporary fix is often expected by insurers. Within safe limits:
- Cover broken windows with boards or heavy plastic.
- Cover a damaged roof area with tarpaulin only if it can be done from the ground, or leave it to a roofer.
- Move belongings and switch off affected circuits.
Do not carry out permanent repairs before talking to your insurer, unless they say that you can.
Fifth: contact the right people
- Your insurer, as soon as you can, with photos.
- Your landlord or agent, if you rent. Report in writing.
- A roofer, glazier, tree surgeon or builder for emergency work.
- Your neighbours, if their property is affected, or if a shared fence is down.
Be cautious of unsolicited visitors after a storm who knock on doors offering to fix roofs on the spot. Get at least a couple of quotes, ask for details in writing and avoid paying large sums up front. You can use Compito to search by postcode, compare ID-verified local providers and send a request for an offer.
Afterwards
Once repairs are done, check gutters and drains again, and consider this a prompt to review the roof. See our guide to gutter and roof checks. If the same area keeps failing, ask a professional for a view on what is going wrong rather than patching repeatedly.
A worked example
After a night of gales, a homeowner finds three roof tiles in the garden, a fence panel flat on the lawn and water staining on a bedroom ceiling. They keep clear until the wind drops, photograph everything, move bedding and place a bucket. They call their insurer, ask a local roofer to inspect and put a tarpaulin on from a safe position, and message a handyman about the fence. Two days later the roofer sends a written report with photos and a quote, which the insurer reviews. By recording and acting in this order, nothing important was missed.
Do not assume it is minor
Hidden problems often appear days later. A cracked ridge tile can let water in during the next shower; a loosened fence post can fail in the next gust. Re-check the roof, ceilings and loft a few days after the storm and again after the next heavy rain.
What to say when you ring
Have the following ready: your policy number, the date and time the damage happened, what is damaged, what you have done to prevent more harm and whether anyone is at risk. Ask the insurer what you may repair, what to keep and whether they require quotes or approved suppliers.
Neighbours and shared structures
Fences, party walls, shared drains and roofs in terraces or flats may belong to more than one person. Speak to neighbours or the managing agent before arranging work, and keep a note of who agreed to what. See how to repair a fence panel for a practical guide to what is involved.
Looking after yourself
Storms can be stressful, particularly if you have no power or your home is damaged. Check on vulnerable neighbours, keep phones charged and use torches rather than candles. If you are worried about your safety, ask local authority emergency services or the national emergency numbers for advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does home insurance usually cover storm damage?
Many buildings and contents policies include storm damage, but conditions and excesses vary. Read your policy or ask your insurer.
Who is responsible for a fallen tree?
It depends on where the tree stands and who owns it. A tree that falls from a neighbour's land does not automatically make them liable; the circumstances matter. Gather photos and speak to your insurer.
How long do I have to report storm damage?
Policies differ, but you should report as soon as practical. Delays can complicate claims.