Hi Whitby and welcome to GoY. Japanese acers purely hate strong winds and there leaves do get torn to shreds if they are caught in one. The good news is that they would be starting to drop their leaves in any case at this time of year and will leaf up again next spring.

If you live on the east coast (assuming this from your name) you will need to put them in a sheltered place. Winds off the north sea will be very bad for them and they will give up quickly.