Storm Damage Recovery: What to Do When a Tree Falls

Storm damage is stressful. When a large tree comes down on your property, it can feel overwhelming. Here’s a step-by-step guide from our emergency response team.

Step 1: Stay Safe

Do not approach a downed tree until you’ve confirmed there are no power lines involved. If a line is down or tangled in branches, stay at least 30 feet away and call your utility company immediately. Assume every downed line is live.

Step 2: Call for Emergency Service

Call a licensed tree service — not a general handyman — as soon as possible. Trees on structures create progressive damage: weight shifts, rooflines flex, interior water damage compounds every hour. Our emergency team responds within 1–2 hours and works around the clock.

Step 3: Document Everything for Insurance

Before any debris is moved, photograph everything from multiple angles. Capture the full tree, where it impacted your home or vehicle, any structural damage, and the base of the tree (root plate, signs of prior decay). Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover tree removal when it damages a covered structure — good documentation accelerates your claim.

Step 4: Temporary Protection

If a tree has breached your roof, the priority after the tree is removed is covering the opening with a tarp to prevent rain intrusion. We can assist with temporary tarping as part of our emergency service.

Step 5: Assess Remaining Trees

After a major storm, have your other trees inspected. Storm-stressed trees often have hidden damage — cracked crotches, root heaving, or weakened branch attachments — that may not be obvious but pose real danger. We provide post-storm inspections at no charge when we’re already on site.