A Tree Fell On Your House During A Storm? Here’s What To Do
Strong winds, hurricanes, and heavy rainstorms can quickly turn trees into serious hazards. When a tree falls on your house, the resulting damage can be both dangerous and overwhelming. Collapsed roofs, downed power lines, and even minor structural impacts can lead to long-term complications.
Knowing what to do if a tree falls on your house during a storm can help you act with clarity and speed. It can also protect your property, help with insurance claims, and prevent further damage during recovery.
Start With Safety First
Before addressing the damage, confirm that everyone in the home, including pets, is safe. Leave the house immediately if you notice signs of instability such as a sagging roof, cracked walls, or exposed electrical wiring.
If power lines are down or there is a gas odor, contact emergency services right away. If conditions allow, document the scene with photos and videos. Take wide shots and close-ups from multiple angles. These images are valuable for both inspections and insurance claims.
Notify Your Insurance Company Right Away
Reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Most homeowners’ policies include coverage for storm-related tree damage when the tree strikes a structure. A deductible may still apply, but filing quickly helps reduce delays.
Ask your insurer about coverage for temporary living arrangements if your home is uninhabitable. Some policies reimburse hotel stays and meals. Keep all receipts related to temporary repairs, lodging, and food, as they may be needed during the claims process.
Document All Damages Before Cleanup
Once your claim is filed, prepare for the insurance adjuster’s inspection. Continue taking updated photos as lighting changes or new angles reveal additional issues. Make a detailed list of all damaged items inside and outside the house. Avoid discarding anything before the adjuster has had a chance to review it.
Temporary protection measures, such as tarping a hole or boarding a window, may be necessary to prevent further damage. Save receipts for these materials; they may be reimbursable.
Arrange Proper Tree Removal
Tree removal should always be handled by a licensed and insured professional. Hiring someone without proper credentials can result in added damage and legal liability. In some cases, your insurance may contribute to the cost of removal if the tree struck a structure.
Homeowners in New Jersey can use the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts website to locate licensed professionals. This reduces risks during an already stressful cleanup process.
Inspect for Structural Risks After the Tree is Gone
Once the tree is removed, arrange for a professional structural inspection. Even if damage seems minor, storms can leave behind water intrusion, roof weaknesses, and hidden cracks. These may not be visible right away, but could pose serious risks later.
If you are in the Northeast, explore our New Jersey structural inspections to understand the full impact of storm damage. Independent evaluations like these help you make smart decisions before moving forward with repairs.
Prevent Further Issues Through Expert Oversight
As repairs begin, it helps to have a professional oversee the process, not to do the repairs, but to track the quality of work. Relying entirely on the contractor can lead to shortcuts, material changes, or errors.
Our construction monitoring service watches every phase of the repair. We confirm that contractors follow approved methods and that your structure is rebuilt the right way.
Need Help Navigating Damage Recovery?
At Stone Building Solutions, we observe and document construction and damage repairs, not as contractors, but as licensed engineers. We direct general contractors and track the quality of their work.
When storm damage affects your home, we step in with reports, inspections, and expert monitoring. From structure evaluations to damage claims, we help make a complex process easier.