The high winds and heavy rainfall of a major storm can cause catastrophic damage to properties. For homeowners in the heavily wooded areas of eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the risk of a tree falling onto their property is all too common. But what should you do if a tree falls on your property after a storm?
Prioritize Safety First
A variety of factors contribute to trees falling during storms. Still, most commonly, the force of the wind, combined with potentially unstable soil conditions from rainfall, can be enough to uproot a tree trunk or snap its branches.
Should you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to prioritize safety first. If the storm is still raging, stay indoors. Even if just a branch falls, the tree might be weak enough at that point to pose a serious falling threat.
Once the storm clears, take a few moments to assess the situation. If a tree falls in an open area on your property, consider:
- If anyone is injured or there’s a potential fire risk, call 911 immediately.
- Keep a safe distance from the downed tree, especially if power lines are nearby or there’s potential for further damage in the immediate area.
- If the tree is near or touching any power lines, treat the situation as if it is a live wire and notify your utility provider as quickly as possible.
- Never try to move the tree or cut large limbs yourself without first consulting a professional.
Should the tree fall on your house or a vehicle on the property, there are additional factors to consider.
What to Do If a Tree Falls on Your House or Car
Depending on your home’s proximity to trees, the risk of damage from a fallen tree can increase significantly. Branches can break windows, damage your roof, and cause serious structural damage, putting anyone inside at risk, as well as posing a risk of total loss in the case of vehicles.
A fallen tree can be overwhelming in the moment, but taking the right steps can protect individuals while also mitigating potential damage costs.
If a tree falls on your house:
- If you notice serious structural damage that poses a risk of collapse, or if utilities are affected, it’s essential to immediately evacuate everyone from the home.
- If the downed tree poses a fire hazard or involves power lines, call emergency services.
- Once the immediate environment is deemed safe, document as much as you can. Take clear photos of the damage from multiple angles, including interior and exterior shots.
- Call your homeowner’s insurance provider to begin a claim. Depending on your coverage, your provider may send an adjuster to assess the damage before removal or repairs begin.
- Finally, contact a certified tree service professional to safely remove the tree and secure the property.
If a tree falls on your car:
- Ensure the vehicle is safe to approach; inspect for gas or fluid leaks and be cautious of broken glass.
- Avoid touching the vehicle if the tree brought down any power lines.
- Document the damage from all angles.
- File a claim with your auto insurance provider; in most cases, comprehensive coverage includes damage from a fallen tree.
- Don’t try to move the tree yourself. Even smaller limbs can shift unexpectedly and cause injury or further damage to your vehicle.
Helpful Tip: In both cases, your insurance company may require you to take steps to prevent further damage, such as tarping your roof or windows or waiting to have the tree removed from your vehicle. A professional tree service company can help with that, and we’ll work with your insurance adjuster if needed.
Who is Responsible for the Damage?
Once safety is no longer an immediate concern, understanding who bears responsibility for any property damage becomes a crucial part of the restoration process, especially when insurance providers become involved.
Typically, if a tree falls on your property, your homeowner’s insurance covers damage to your home, vehicle, and any additional structures such as a shed or garage. If a healthy tree on your property falls on your neighbor’s property, their insurance usually covers the damage.
However, if the tree was visibly dead, rotted, or poorly maintained, you may be liable. Insurance coverage is usually dictated by whose property was damaged, unless the tree was clearly at risk and the “owner” was previously warned.
Understanding Emergency Tree Removal
While not every tree problem requires immediate attention (even those after a storm), there are a few risk factors that constitute an emergency for tree removal. First, it’s important to consider the immediate danger of a fallen tree. Is the situation a fire risk? Does your home have serious structural damage?
An emergency tree removal is necessary when a tree poses an immediate threat to people or property.
Once individuals near the home are safe and the necessary emergency responders have been contacted to address the primary safety risks, it’s time to call a certified arborist and tree removal specialist. In most cases, these companies respond quickly to emergency situations – Tree Tech, Inc. is available 24/7 for emergency tree removals – and are prepared to offer:
- General storm cleanup and disposal services
- Fallen tree removal
- Crane-assisted tree removals for fast, efficient removal of large trees
- Property inspections to assess other potentially risky trees
The certified arborists at Tree Tech, Inc. possess the necessary tools and expertise to safely remove damaged or unwanted trees without disrupting the surrounding area.
How to prevent future storm damage
While it’s difficult to plan ahead for a major storm, you can take the necessary steps to reduce the risk your property faces should such an event occur. Working with a tree care service provider like Tree Tech, Inc. not only wards against future emergencies but also supports your landscape’s health and beauty in the long run.
You can prevent future storm damage through proactive services like:
- Scheduling regular tree health inspections with a certified arborist.
- Trimming and pruning any overhanging branches, especially those near homes or power lines.
- Proactively removing any dead or dying trees before they become a safety risk.
- Installing tree cabling or bracing for potentially hazardous trees helps protect the tree’s long-term health and future growth.
Count on Tree Tech, Inc. for Emergency Tree Removal Services
Depending on the size of the tree or the extent of the damage, the immediate aftermath of a fallen tree can be frightening or overwhelming. However, understanding what to do in the moment and taking a few steps to protect at-risk areas of your property can go a long way in preventing damage in the future. Need storm cleanup or an emergency tree removal? Since 1986, Tree Tech, Inc. has provided quality tree and shrub services to residential, commercial, and utility properties throughout eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Our certified arborists are available 24/7 to help you safely recover from storm damage. Contact us to request a service!