1. Move people away, then assess from a distance
Storm-damaged trees are unstable in ways that are not obvious. Split trunks, bent-over saplings, and limbs held under tension can release hours later. Keep everyone — including pets — out from under and away from the tree.
2. Call for help in this order
- 911 — injuries, entrapment, fire risk, or downed power lines. Assume every wire is energized.
- Your electric utility — lines touching or supported by a tree, or a damaged service drop. Utility crews handle conductors; tree services do not.
- Your gas utility — any smell of gas or damage near a meter. Leave first, then call.
- Your city or county — a tree blocking a public street or sidewalk.
3. Document before anything moves
- Wide shots showing the tree and the whole scene, from a safe distance.
- Close shots of the point of contact and any structural damage.
- Photos of the base and root plate.
- Interior photos if water is entering the building.
- Note the date and time, and keep every receipt from here on.
4. Contact your insurer early
Coverage for tree removal, structural repair, and debris varies significantly between policies, and rules differ when a neighbor's tree is involved. Do not rely on general advice — including this page — for what your policy covers. Ask your carrier directly, and ask before authorizing large-scale removal if you can safely wait.
5. Make it safe, do not make it worse
Tarp what you can reach safely and keep water out. This is not the moment to learn chainsaw work: storm wood is under tension, and cutting into it is how serious injuries happen. Leave anything overhead, anything under load, and anything near a wire to a professional.
6. Be careful who you hire in the aftermath
Storms attract door-to-door crews. Be cautious with anyone demanding large cash payments up front, pressuring you to decide immediately, or unwilling to provide a written scope and proof of insurance. Sound Tree Connect does not vet, verify, or certify providers — confirm credentials and insurance yourself.
7. Then look at the trees still standing
A storm that took one tree often stressed others. While a provider is on site, ask about any tree with a new lean, cracked soil, or a broken top. See signs a tree may be dangerous and storm damage tree service.