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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
you see roof tiles or shingles missing after high winds

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stay off the roof and keep people away from the area below the damage. Photograph what you can safely see, then contact your insurer, landlord, letting agent, managing agent, or freeholder to arrange safe temporary weatherproofing.

Do not do these things

  • Do not climb onto the roof or a ladder to look, even for a minute.
  • Do not pull at loose tiles, slates, sheets, flashing, guttering, or hanging material from below.
  • Do not stand under the damaged section or let children or pets near fallen debris.
  • Do not switch lights or sockets on or off if water is close to them.
  • Do not start non-urgent permanent repairs before speaking to the insurer or responsible property manager if you expect to claim.
  • Do not pay a doorstep trader in cash or agree to work under pressure.
  • Do not throw away broken pieces or damaged items if you may need them for a claim, unless they are unsafe to keep.

What to do now

  1. Make the area safer immediately. Keep everyone away from the outside drop-zone under the damaged roof. If tiles, slates, shingles, sheets, nails, or glass have fallen, do not walk through the debris unless you need to leave safely.
  2. Check for urgent danger from a safe place. From indoors or ground level, look for new sagging, cracking sounds, a bulging ceiling, major water pouring in, masonry movement, or debris still falling. If you think there is an immediate risk to life or the structure, leave the area or building and call 999.
  3. Limit water damage inside. If water is coming in, put buckets or containers under drips and move valuables, plugs, extension leads, appliances, and portable electrics away from the wet area. If water is near light fittings, sockets, the consumer unit, or fixed wiring, keep away and call a qualified electrician or emergency contractor.
  4. Switch off power only if it is clearly safe. If you can reach the consumer unit without standing in water or touching anything wet, switch off power to the affected area. If you cannot do that safely, leave it alone and keep people out of the area.
  5. Record the damage before cleaning up. Take photos or video from the ground and from inside, using wide shots and close-ups. Note the date, time, where water entered, what fell, and any visible missing tiles, slates, shingles, felt, flashing, or roof sheets.
  6. Contact the right responsible party.
    • Owner-occupier: contact your buildings insurer or home emergency cover provider and ask what emergency contractor route they want you to use.
    • Tenant: report it to your landlord or letting agent immediately in writing, such as email or text, and say if water is entering or electrics may be affected.
    • Leasehold or flat: contact the managing agent or freeholder if they are responsible for the roof, and also tell your contents insurer if your belongings are damaged.
  7. Arrange safe temporary weatherproofing without going on the roof. Ask for an emergency roofer or contractor to make the roof temporarily weatherproof, for example with a properly fitted temporary cover. If you must arrange urgent work yourself to stop further damage, take photos first, keep receipts, and tell the insurer or responsible property manager as soon as you can.
  8. Use the right emergency route if utilities are affected.
    • If a power line is down, a cable is sparking, or electricity equipment has been damaged, stay well back. Call 999 if there is immediate danger. In England, Scotland, or Wales, call 105 if you need to report damage to the electricity network; in Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643643.
    • If you smell gas or suspect a gas or carbon monoxide emergency, leave immediately. In Great Britain, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. In Northern Ireland, call the Northern Ireland Gas Emergency Service on 0800 002 001. If there is immediate danger, call 999.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether the roof needs a full replacement or a smaller repair.
  • You do not need to choose a long-term contractor while water is still entering or debris is still unsafe.
  • You do not need to clean up perfectly before taking photos.
  • You do not need to argue the insurance outcome now; the first task is safety, evidence, and temporary weatherproofing.
  • You do not need to dispose of damaged items immediately unless they are dangerous, contaminated, or blocking a safe exit.

Important reassurance

This is alarming, but the next safe steps are limited: keep away from the roof and debris, reduce water damage where you can, document what happened, and get the responsible insurer, landlord, agent, or contractor involved. Quick temporary weatherproofing can help reduce further damage while the proper repair is worked out.

Scope note

These are first steps for the first hours or day after wind damage. Insurance claims, tenancy duties, leasehold responsibility, surveys, contractor selection, and permanent roof repairs may need specialist help later.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, engineering, electrical, insurance, financial, or professional 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.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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