Storm Damage: What to Do First When a Tree Falls
A tree just fell on your property in Fort Smith. Here is what to do first, what not to touch, how to document for insurance, and when to call for emergency removal.
☎ Call (479) 492-8610Stop. Do not touch the tree.
Take a breath. A tree on the ground looks like something you need to handle immediately, but the first thing to do is nothing physical. Step back and assess from a safe distance.
If the tree is touching power lines, or if you see downed lines anywhere nearby, stay far away. Downed power lines can energize the ground around them. You do not need to see sparks for the danger to be real. In the Fort Smith area, call OG&E at 1-800-522-6870 to report downed lines. On the Oklahoma side of the river (Sallisaw, Roland, Muldrow), call AEP/PSO at 1-888-216-3523. Do not assume the line is dead. Do not walk near it. Do not drive over it.
If the tree missed the power lines, you still have time. Move to the next step.
If the tree hit your house
Do not go under the damaged area. A tree resting on a roof may have compromised rafters, trusses, or load-bearing walls, and the structure it is sitting on can shift without warning.
If you see active water intrusion through the opening, shut off electricity to that area of the house at the breaker panel, but only if you can reach the panel safely without passing through the damaged zone. Water and live wiring in a compromised ceiling are the combination you are trying to avoid.
If the damage is severe enough that walls are leaning, floors are sagging, or the tree came fully through the roof into living space, leave the house. Grab your phone, your wallet, and your medications, and go to a neighbor’s place or sit in your car. You can sort out the rest from there.
Document everything before anything moves
This step saves people thousands of dollars and most skip it. Before any cleanup starts, photograph and video the damage from every angle you can safely reach. Your insurance adjuster needs to see the tree where it fell, how it landed, and what it damaged.
Photograph:
- The tree itself, showing the full length from root ball to crown
- The root ball or stump where it broke
- Every point of contact with a structure, vehicle, fence, or utility line
- Close-ups of damage to siding, shingles, gutters, or windows
- Wide shots showing the tree in relation to the house
- The yard around the tree, including any secondary damage
Take more photos than you think you need. A two-minute video walking the full scene captures context that individual photos miss. Time-stamp these by texting them to yourself or emailing them to your own address.
Contact your insurance company
Call your homeowner’s insurance agent or the claims number on your policy. Do this early, even if the storm is still active, because after a major event the queue gets long fast.
Here is what most standard homeowner’s policies cover, and what they do not:
Typically covered: Removal of a tree from a structure (house, garage, shed, fence), repair of the structure itself, removal of a tree that is blocking the driveway or a wheelchair ramp, and sometimes temporary living expenses if the house is uninhabitable.
Typically not covered: Removal of a tree that fell in the open yard and did not hit anything. Preventive removal of a standing tree you think might fall next. Landscaping replacement. Most policies cap tree removal reimbursement at $500 to $1,000 per tree, though the structural repair itself is covered up to your policy limits.
Knowing this before the adjuster arrives lets you ask the right questions and avoid paying out of pocket for work your policy would have reimbursed.
When to call for emergency tree removal
Some situations genuinely cannot wait:
- A tree on the house, especially if it has penetrated the roof and weather is continuing
- A tree blocking the driveway and you cannot get a vehicle out (medical access, work, evacuation)
- A tree on a car that needs to be moved
- A tree leaning against the house or another tree that has not fully fallen yet but could release at any time
- A tree resting on a fence with a dog or livestock contained by that fence
For a tree that fell in the yard, landed flat, and is not threatening any structure or access, there is no emergency. That tree will still be there tomorrow. Let the storm pass, let the emergency calls get handled first, and schedule the removal when conditions are safe for work.
What not to do
Do not chainsaw a tree that is under tension. A fallen tree often has limbs that are spring-loaded, bent against the ground or a structure and holding stored energy. When you cut the wrong piece, the release is violent and fast. People are killed this way. Professionals read tension in a trunk the way you read traffic. This is their job, not yours.
Do not climb on the roof to assess damage. A compromised roof is an unknown surface. Sheathing may be cracked under intact shingles. Rafters may be partially broken. Assess from the ground or from a window inside.
Do not pull debris off the roof. Branches wedged into shingles or flashing may actually be slowing water intrusion. Removing them without a tarp ready can make the leak worse.
Do not burn debris in the yard. Fort Smith has burn regulations, your neighbors have lungs, and a brush fire started in the confusion after a storm is not something you want to manage.
Do not sign anything with a contractor you have never heard of before today. Get the tree off the house if you must, but major repairs deserve a second quote from an operator who has a verifiable local presence.
Getting help after the storm
After a major storm, demand for tree work in the River Valley spikes overnight and stays high for weeks. Every independent licensed local tree service operator is running from sunup to dark. Be patient, but get your name on a list early.
When you call, have the basics ready: what happened, what the tree landed on, roughly how big the tree is, and whether power lines are involved. That information helps the operator triage your call against the others coming in.
One call to (479) 492-8610 connects you with a local operator who handles emergency storm work across Fort Smith, Van Buren, Greenwood, and the surrounding area. Describe what you are looking at and they will tell you honestly how fast they can get there.
Common Questions
Will my homeowner's insurance pay for tree removal?
Usually yes if the tree hit a structure, a vehicle, or is blocking the driveway. Most policies cover the cost of removing the tree from the structure and repairing the damage. If the tree fell in the open yard and did not damage anything, the removal cost is usually on you. Call your agent before authorizing any work so you know what is covered.
How long does emergency tree removal take after a major storm?
After a widespread event like an ice storm or a derecho, every operator in the Fort Smith area is fielding calls nonstop. Trees on occupied houses and trees on power lines get priority. A tree blocking a driveway may wait a day or two. A tree that fell harmlessly in the yard can wait longer. Call early, get on the list, and be realistic about timelines when the whole region is dealing with the same storm.
Should I put a tarp on the roof myself?
Only if you can do it safely from the ground or a short ladder without stepping on or under the damaged section. A tarp that covers the opening and is weighted down with boards or sandbags prevents further water damage and shows the insurance adjuster you took reasonable steps. If the roof is too high, too steep, or too damaged, leave it alone and wait for help.
What about the tree crew that knocked on my door offering to clear the tree cheap?
Door-to-door storm chasers appear after every major weather event. Some are legitimate operators from neighboring states picking up extra work. Many are not. Ask for proof of insurance, a business address you can verify, and a written quote. If they want cash upfront or refuse to put anything in writing, walk away. A local operator who was here before the storm and will be here after it is a safer bet.