Storms are when roofs fail publicly, and the hours afterwards are when decisions get made badly — under pressure, in bad weather, sometimes with a stranger already knocking at the door "noticing your roof". Here's the order that serves you.
First: safety, not ladders
Stay off the roof and keep people away from anything that might still fall — tiles on the ground mean loose tiles above. If water is coming in, deal with the inside first: catch it high in the loft if access is safe, move what's beneath, and if a ceiling bulges, pierce it over a bucket rather than letting it collapse (more here).
Second: photographs — from the ground
Before anything is moved or fixed, photograph everything: the roof from several angles, debris where it fell, and all internal damage. Time-stamped photos are the backbone of any insurance claim and cost nothing. Note the date — insurers check storm records against claims.
Third: weathertight, then permanent
The proper sequence is temporary weatherproofing now, permanent repair once the roof is dry and accessible — how we handle storm work. Nobody can do permanent quality work on a wet roof in wind, and a decent roofer won't pretend to. Make-safe and repair should be quoted as separate things.
Fourth: the insurance decision
Small damage — a few tiles — often costs less than your excess plus premium effects; pay directly and keep the claim. Substantial damage: claim, with your photographs and an itemised quotation that separates storm damage from any pre-existing wear (honesty here genuinely helps claims). You choose your repairer; insurers propose, they don't dictate.
Throughout: mind the knockers
Storms bring out door-knockers who've "just noticed" damage — sometimes real, often invented, occasionally created while "checking". The pattern to refuse: cash up front, work starting immediately, no written quote, no traceable address. Any legitimate roofer will photograph what they find, quote in writing, and not be offended if you get a second opinion.