Tree Falls on Your House? What to Do in the First Hour

A loud crack. A crash. Then a tree branch in your attic. It is one of the most stressful moments a homeowner can face. This guide walks you through the first hour after a tree falls on your house, step by step, for families in Rome, GA 30161 and across Floyd County.

Keep it handy. Most people never plan for this until it happens.

If a Tree Falls on Your House: The 6 Steps

People come first. The house and the tree can wait.

Move everyone out of rooms under or near the tree.
If the roof or walls look like they are sagging, leave the house.
Do not go into the attic or upstairs rooms under the impact.
Keep kids and pets away from the yard where the tree landed.

A tree can shift as it settles. Rain can add weight to a damaged roof. Leave the area until you know it is stable.

Step 2: Check for Wires and Gas

If any wire is down or touching the tree, stay at least 35 feet away. Treat every wire as live. Report it to Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938, or to your electric co-op using the outage number on your bill. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or in danger.

Smell rotten eggs or hear hissing? That may be a gas leak. Leave the house at once and call your gas company and 911 from a safe spot. Do not flip switches or use flames.

Step 3: Call for Emergency Help

Once people are safe, call a tree crew that handles emergencies. Removing a tree from a roof is risky work. It often needs ropes, rigging or a crane. Do not try to cut it yourself. Our DIY tree removal safety page explains why.

For the full process on roof jobs, see tree fell on house roof. Big trees may need crane tree removal.

Step 4: Document Everything

Photos protect your claim. Take them before cleanup starts.

Wide shots of the whole house and tree.
Close-ups of the roof, siding, gutters and windows.
Inside damage: ceilings, leaks, broken items.
The base of the tree and its roots or break point.
Date and time of the storm, if you know it.

Step 5: Call Your Insurance Company

Report the claim fast. Most home policies cover tree damage when wind or lightning brings the tree down. Your insurer will send an adjuster. Ask what they need from you and whether they have approved tree crews.

Even if it was your neighbor’s tree, you usually start with your own policy. See tree removal insurance and neighbor tree responsibility.

Step 6: Prevent More Damage

Most policies expect you to stop damage from getting worse. That often means a tarp over the hole once the tree is off. Keep receipts for tarps, boards and emergency work. Insurers often reimburse reasonable costs.

Move valuables away from leaks. Put buckets under drips. Shut off power to wet rooms if you can do it safely.

What Happens When the Crew Arrives

They check the scene for wires and hazards.
They plan how to take the weight off without more damage.
They cut and lower the tree in sections, often with rigging.
They clear the roof so it can be tarped.
They haul debris or stack it for later cleanup. See tree debris cleanup.

Costs vary by tree size, access and risk. See emergency tree removal cost for what drives the price.

Watch Out for Storm Chasers

After big storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors. Some are fine. Some are not. Ask for proof of liability and workers’ comp insurance. Get a written quote. Do not pay the full amount up front. Never sign over your insurance check before work is done.

Tree down right now? Get everyone safe first. Then call for emergency help near you in Rome or Floyd County.

Call Now: (762) 470-0249

Temporary Living Costs

If your home is unlivable, many policies help with extra living costs, like a hotel or rental. This is often called loss of use or additional living expense. Keep all receipts.

Kids, Pets and Stress

A tree crashing into a home is scary. Keep kids and pets away from the damage. Explain what is happening in simple terms. Let them know adults are handling it.

Choosing a Roofer After the Tree Is Off

Once the tree is gone, the roof needs repair. Get written quotes. Check licenses and insurance. Avoid roofers who pressure you or ask for your insurance check up front.

Preventing a Repeat

Have remaining trees checked.
Remove dead and weak trees near the house.
Trim limbs away from the roof.
Learn the signs a tree is about to fall.

Quick Recap

People first. Get out from under damage.
Check for wires and gas.
Photograph everything.
Call your insurer and a tree crew.
Tarp after removal and keep receipts.

Local Notes for Rome and Floyd County

Severe storms often move through northwest Georgia in spring and summer. Rome’s tree-lined streets mean many homes have big trees close by. Keep your insurer’s number and a local tree crew’s number saved before storm season starts.

FAQs

Can I stay in my house after a tree falls on it?

Only if the damage is minor and away from living areas. If the roof is sagging or walls are cracked, stay elsewhere until it is checked.

Who removes the tree, the insurer or me?

You hire the crew. Your insurer may help pay if the tree damaged a covered structure.

How fast can a tree be removed from a roof?

It depends on demand after a storm and the job size. Call early and describe the tree and damage.

Should I call 911?

Call 911 if anyone is hurt, trapped, or if there are live wires or a gas leak.

Should I call my mortgage company?

Insurance checks for major damage may include your lender. Ask your insurer how payments are issued.

Can I start repairs before the adjuster comes?

Do emergency repairs to prevent more damage. Wait on permanent repairs until approved.

Sources

These outside sources informed this guide:

Georgia sources: UGA Extension: Tree Ownership and Responsibility · Georgia Forestry Commission: Trees and Storm Safety

What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your House: First-Hour Guide