Sixty to seventy mile-an-hour gusts, an amber warning stretching across Cornwall and Devon, and the first named storm of the season has arrived weeks earlier than most households expect. Storm Austen struck the UK on 23 October 2026, and for thousands of homeowners the morning after means walking around the property wondering what actually needs attention. This guide explains exactly what to inspect, what counts as a genuine emergency, and when a Storm Austen property damage survey from a chartered surveyor becomes essential rather than optional.
Storm Austen was named by Met Éireann, honouring Austen Nagle, the first director of the Irish Meteorological Service. The Met Office issued an amber wind warning from 3am to 10am on Friday 23 October for Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth, with gusts reaching 80mph in exposed spots, alongside a wider yellow warning covering the South East, South West, Wales and Herefordshire. A separate yellow rain warning hit parts of Scotland overnight into Saturday. Chris Bulmer, the Met Office's deputy chief forecaster, flagged "increasing confidence in the potential for disruptive winds" across the South West, while noting the storm's exact track remained uncertain.
Key Takeaways
- A visual, ground-level check is safe; climbing ladders or roofs after a storm is not.
- Dislodged roof tiles, damaged flashings and blocked gutters are the most common Storm Austen property damage survey findings.
- Photograph everything immediately, before any temporary repairs are made.
- A RICS-qualified storm damage survey is worth commissioning for insurance disputes, hidden structural movement, or when buying a property that was affected.
- Buyers mid-transaction near affected areas should request a re-inspection before exchange or completion.
Why This Storm Matters for Homeowners
Even where warnings were "only" yellow, gusts over 70mph on exposed coasts are enough to lift tiles, crack render and bring down weak branches onto roofs and fences. The Met Office specifically flagged risks of dislodged roof tiles, flying debris, power cuts and large waves depositing beach material onto seafronts. Further wind and rain is possible into the weekend and next week, so damage assessment should not wait.
A Practical Post-Storm Checklist
Work through this list from the ground, using binoculars if needed. Do not go onto the roof.
Roof and Chimney
- Scan roof slopes for missing, slipped or cracked tiles or slates.
- Check ridge tiles sit straight along the roofline; a gap or dip suggests displacement.
- Look at chimney stacks for leaning, cracked pots, or missing cowls.
- Inspect flashing around chimneys, skylights and roof junctions for lifting or gaps.
Gutters, Downpipes and Flat Roofs
- Look for gutters pulled away from fascias, sagging sections, or debris blockages.
- Check downpipes are still connected and not cracked.
- Flat roofs are especially vulnerable: look for lifted felt, ponding water, or torn membrane edges from the ground or an upstairs window.
Walls, Render and Fences
- Walk the perimeter checking for new cracks in render, especially around window and door openings.
- Boundary walls and garden fences often take the brunt of high winds; check for leaning panels, loose posts or toppled sections.
- Note any new hairline cracks against old ones using a photo for comparison later.
Trees and Garden Structures
- Check trees near the house for broken limbs, exposed roots, or leaning trunks.
- Sheds, greenhouses and carports should be checked for shifted frames or roof damage.
Inside the Property
- Check the loft for daylight coming through the roof, damp patches, or insulation disturbed by draughts.
- Look at ceilings and upper-floor walls for fresh damp staining, which can indicate water ingress even without visible roof damage outside.
- Test windows and doors for new draughts or difficulty closing, which can signal frame movement.
DIY Checks vs Professional Work
| Task | Safe to Do Yourself | Needs a Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level visual scan | Yes | – |
| Photographing damage | Yes | – |
| Clearing minor garden debris | Yes | – |
| Roof tile inspection up close | No | Yes |
| Chimney stability assessment | No | Yes |
| Structural crack diagnosis | No | Yes |
| Flat roof membrane repair | No | Yes |
| Tree removal near power lines | No | Yes |
Documenting Damage for an Insurance Claim
Insurers expect clear, time-stamped evidence. Before arranging any repair, however urgent it feels:
- Photograph every affected area from multiple angles, including wide shots showing context.
- Note the date and approximate time damage was discovered.
- Keep any fallen tiles, slates or debris as physical evidence if safe to store.
- Avoid throwing away damaged materials until the insurer confirms they are no longer needed.
- Get at least one quote for temporary repairs (such as tarping an exposed roof) to prevent further loss, and keep receipts.
- Report the claim promptly; most policies require "reasonable steps" to prevent further damage, not full repair before assessment.
Insurers may send their own loss adjuster, but their priority is cost control, not necessarily accuracy. This is where an independent Storm Austen property damage survey becomes valuable.
When a RICS Storm Damage Survey Is Worth Commissioning
Not every loose tile needs a chartered surveyor. But certain situations clearly justify one:
- Insurer dispute or lowball offer: An independent defect report gives homeowners evidence to challenge a settlement that does not reflect the true extent of damage.
- Suspected structural movement: Cracks that widen, doors that stick, or uneven floors after a storm can indicate movement that a surface-level inspection will miss.
- Hidden water ingress: Roof damage does not always show immediately indoors; a surveyor can assess loft spaces, flashings and junctions properly.
- Buying a property affected by the storm: If a purchase is mid-transaction in an area hit by Storm Austen, a fresh Storm Austen property damage survey or re-inspection should be requested before exchange or completion. A survey conducted weeks earlier may no longer reflect the property's condition.
- Preparing for expert evidence: If a dispute escalates toward litigation or formal complaint, a RICS chartered surveyor's report carries weight that a mobile phone photo album does not.
A chartered surveyor's reinstatement valuation and defect report also helps homeowners understand repair costs independently of the insurer's own figures, which can be a useful cross-check during negotiations.
Buyers Mid-Transaction: Do Not Skip the Re-Inspection
Anyone currently buying a property in Cornwall, Devon, the South West, Wales or other affected areas should treat Storm Austen as a trigger point, not an afterthought. Request written confirmation from the seller or agent on whether the property sustained any damage, and ask the surveyor who carried out the original Level 2 or Level 3 survey whether a re-inspection is warranted. Roofs, chimneys and boundary structures are the highest-risk elements after high winds, and a pre-storm survey report cannot account for damage that happened afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to inspect my own roof after Storm Austen?
No. Ground-level and loft inspections are generally safe; climbing onto the roof itself is not, especially while winds remain elevated or wet conditions persist.
How quickly should I report storm damage to my insurer?
As soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours. Most policies require prompt notification and reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Will my insurer automatically send a surveyor?
Insurers typically send a loss adjuster, who works on their behalf. An independent RICS surveyor works for the homeowner and can provide a second opinion if there is disagreement.
What if damage is not visible from outside?
Check the loft and upper ceilings for damp staining or draughts. Hidden water ingress is common after high winds even without obvious exterior damage.
Should property buyers delay completion after a storm?
Not necessarily, but a re-inspection or updated Storm Austen property damage survey is strongly advisable before exchange, particularly for properties in affected regions.
Conclusion
Storm Austen's amber and yellow warnings across the South West, South East, Wales and Scotland mean many homes need a careful, methodical check today. Start with a safe, ground-level inspection, document everything with photos, and resist the urge to climb onto roofs or go near unstable trees and chimneys. For anything beyond surface debris, cracked render, or a handful of displaced tiles, a chartered surveyor's Storm Austen property damage survey provides the independent evidence needed to support an insurance claim, confirm structural safety, or protect a property purchase currently in progress.