Homeowners told to inspect roofs as Storm Austen hits east London
Met Office predicts gusts up to 47 mph on 23 October; roofing expert James Roe issues a step‑by‑step safety checklist.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Named expert James Roe and Met Office forecast cited, giving specific figures and dates.
Higher is stronger
Provides clear safety advice, cites official forecast, and quotes the roofer, keeping facts separate from commentary.
Higher is stronger
Measured language with no sensationalist claims; headline matches article content.
Lower is better
Storm Austen is set to move across east London on Saturday 22 October and Sunday 23 October 2026. The Met Office forecasts the strongest winds between 2 pm and 7 pm on 23 October, with gusts reaching 47 mph in the capital. James Roe, who founded the Rainham‑based UK Roofing Specialist in 2012, has issued practical advice for homeowners ahead of the storm.
Why the advice matters for east London residents
London feels 12°C weekend as Met Office warns autumn storms
Met Office forecasts cooler weekend temperatures and unsettled weather for the rest of October, linking the pattern to a strong El Niño event.
The low‑pressure system driving Storm Austen is expected to bring wet, windy conditions that can dislodge roof tiles, overload gutters and turn unsecured garden items into projectiles. Damage to roofs and external fittings often leads to water ingress, which can affect ceilings, electrical sockets and personal belongings. Early inspection and simple preventative steps can reduce the likelihood of costly repairs.
Specific steps recommended
Roe advises residents to start at ground level. Look for missing or slipped tiles, loose guttering and any material hanging away from the roof. Use a smartphone’s zoom function rather than climbing. Clear ground‑level drainage grilles so rainwater can flow freely. Secure garden furniture, bins and any loose objects that could be blown about. Close windows, rooflights and external doors before the wind picks up.
Google Cloud outage hits London services
Banks, property sites and apps experienced disruptions on Tuesday morning due to a regional IT incident.
“Taking a few simple precautions before the weather worsens can help protect your home.”
James Roe, founder, UK Roofing Specialist
Roe also stresses the importance of documentation. If a roof is damaged, photograph the area from a safe distance and keep the insurer’s contact details handy. Request a written scope and quotation from any contractor, verify membership on the NFRC directory and confirm insurance coverage before authorising permanent repairs. Professional inspections should wait until conditions are safe.
Barnet residents in the east of the borough, particularly those on the High Road and near the River Lee, should follow the same checklist. The council has not issued a separate advisory, but the guidance aligns with standard safety practice for severe weather events.
The next formal step will be the Met Office’s post‑storm assessment, which will inform any local authority response. Homeowners who experience damage should report it to their insurers within 24 hours and keep all receipts for repair work once the storm passes.
Questions this report answers
+When is Storm Austen expected to affect east London?
Storm Austen is forecast to impact east London on 22 and 23 October 2026, with the most intense winds arriving on Sunday 23 October between 2 pm and 7 pm, according to the Met Office.
+What wind speeds are predicted for London during the storm?
The Met Office hourly forecast predicts gusts of up to 47 mph in London between 2 pm and 7 pm on 23 October 2026. Those speeds can cause roof tile displacement and unsecured objects to become hazardous.
+What should homeowners do to prepare for Storm Austen?
James Roe advises checking roofs from ground level for missing tiles or loose guttering, clearing ground‑level drainage grilles, securing garden furniture and bins, closing windows and doors, and documenting any damage for insurers before hiring contractors.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs News LondonCorrections
The London Ledger
A considered capital-wide edit delivered each morning.