Power line involved? Stay at least 35 feet away and call your electric company before anything else. In Chattanooga that's EPB. Across the Georgia line it's usually Georgia Power or North Georgia EMC, depending on your address.
The first hour: safety
- Get everyone out of the damaged rooms, and out of the house if the roof is sagging or you see cracks spreading in walls or ceilings.
- Look for downed lines before you walk outside. Treat any wire as live.
- Smell for gas. If you smell it, leave right away and call the gas company and 911 from outside.
- Turn off the power at the breaker panel if water is coming in near outlets or fixtures and you can reach the panel safely.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or trapped, or if the house isn't safe to be near.
The first day: document and call
- Photos and video first. Shoot the tree, the roof, the inside damage, and the stump or root ball, from several angles, before anything is moved.
- Call your insurance company and open a claim. Ask what they cover for tree removal and emergency repairs, and whether they want to send an adjuster before work starts.
- Call a tree crew. Call us at (423) 356-6500 and we'll connect you with a local crew that handles trees on houses. The crew will take the weight off the structure, usually with a crane or bucket truck, and tarp the roof.
- Stop more damage. Insurers expect you to take reasonable steps, like tarping and moving belongings out of the rain. Keep receipts.
The first week: repairs
- Get the roofer and any other contractors to write up the damage for the adjuster.
- Keep every receipt: tree removal, tarps, a hotel if you had to leave, food that spoiled during an outage.
- Don't sign over your insurance benefits to a contractor who shows up at the door.
- Ask the tree crew about the other trees near your house. A storm that drops one tree often weakens its neighbors.
Next time: what to check before storm season
Most trees that fall on houses had warning signs: dead limbs, a fresh lean, fungus at the base, or a split trunk. A quick look at the trees near your house each spring and fall can head off the next one. See signs a tree is dangerous.
Common questions
Should I try to cut the tree off the roof myself?
No. A tree resting on a roof is under heavy tension and can shift, roll or spring back when it's cut. That's how homeowners get badly hurt and how roof damage doubles. Leave it for a crew with the right equipment.
Who pays if the tree was my neighbor's?
In most cases your own homeowners insurance covers damage to your property, whoever owned the tree. If your neighbor ignored a tree that was clearly dead or dangerous, your insurer may go after them for the cost.
Will insurance pay for tree removal?
When a tree damages a covered structure, most policies help pay to remove the tree from the structure and repair the damage, after your deductible. Removal limits vary by policy, so ask your agent.
How fast can a crew get here?
On a normal day, often within hours for a tree on a house. After a widespread storm, every crew in town is booked, so call as soon as it's safe.