Straight-line winds and tornadoes come through the Mid-South every spring and most falls, and the calls we get afterward all start the same way: a tree is on the house, it's dark, and nobody knows what to do first. Here's the order that keeps people safe and keeps the insurance claim simple.
First, get everyone away from the damaged area. If you smell gas or see downed power lines touching the tree, leave the house and call MLGW or your utility before anyone else. A fallen tree can shift without warning.
Second, call a tree crew that answers at night. The weight and unstable limbs are the emergency. A crew that can rig and lift the tree without dragging it across the structure helps prevent further damage.
Second, call a tree crew that answers at night. The weight of the tree is the emergency, not the hole. A crew that can rig and lift the tree off the structure without dragging it across the structure is what helps prevent further damage.
Fourth, call your insurance company, but do not wait for them to authorize making the property safe. Every policy we have seen expects you to prevent further damage. Keep every receipt and photograph.
Finally, get a written scope for the tree removal, debris haul-away, and any cleanup. A clear, itemized estimate makes the next steps easier for you and your adjuster.