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By Seven Hills Tree Editorial · Updated October 6, 2026
Who to Call When a Tree Falls in Rome, GA
Who to call when a tree falls depends on what it hit. Call 911 for injuries, fire, a tree on a home, a downed line or a blocked road. Call Georgia Power about lines. Call your insurer about damage. Call a tree service to remove the tree. Call the city or county for trees on public land.
Emergency tree removal near you in Rome, GA 30161. Open 24/7.
Who to call when a tree falls: quick table
| What happened | Call first | Then call | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anyone hurt, fire or smoke, gas or fuel smell | 911 | Your insurer, later | Get everyone clear first. |
| Tree on or touching a power line, or a line is down | 911 or Georgia Power, 1-888-891-0938 | A tree service, only after the utility says it’s safe | Never touch the line or the tree. |
| Tree on your house | 911 if anyone is in danger, you hear cracking or you smell gas | Your homeowners insurer, then a tree service | House and roof guide |
| Tree on your car | 911 only if someone is hurt, fuel is leaking, a line is down or a road is blocked | Your auto insurer, then a tree service | Car guide |
| Tree blocking a public road | 911 | The road’s owner (see below) | Don’t move it yourself. |
| Tree in the city right-of-way in Rome | City of Rome, 706-236-4585 | Your insurer if it hit something | Urban Forestry handles city trees. |
| Tree on private property, nobody in danger | A tree service | Your insurer | Emergency removal |
| Leaning or damaged tree, nothing fallen yet | An arborist or tree service | Your insurer if it’s near a structure | Risk assessment |
Do I call 911 or my utility first for a downed power line?
Call 911 or Georgia Power right away. Never touch a line, the tree or anything touching it. Georgia Power says to call 911 or 1-888-891-0938 for a fallen or low-hanging line, and never to pull limbs off lines. If your power comes from North Georgia EMC, call the number on your bill.
Georgia Power serves much of Floyd County. North Georgia EMC serves some customers there. Check your bill if you aren’t sure which one is yours. Power line safety guide
Does the fire department remove a fallen tree?
Fire crews respond to the emergency, not the cleanup. In storms, Rome and Floyd County crews have answered calls for trees on homes and lines. Removing a tree from private property is generally the owner’s job, which usually means hiring a tree service. Call 911 first if anyone is in danger, then ask the dispatcher what to expect.
Who clears a tree blocking a road in Rome or Floyd County?
It depends on who owns the road. City streets go to the City of Rome Street Department at 706-236-4585. County roads go to Floyd County Public Works at 706-236-2495. State routes, including US 27, US 411 and SR 53, go to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Call 911 first for a blockage.
The City of Rome lists these state routes in Rome and Floyd County: US 27 (Martha Berry Highway, Martha Berry Boulevard and Turner McCall Boulevard), US 411, SR 1, SR 1 Loop (Veterans Memorial Highway and Redmond Circle), SR 20 (Shorter Avenue), SR 53 (North Broad Street and New Calhoun Highway), SR 100, SR 101, SR 140, SR 156 and SR 293. The local GDOT office is 706-295-6025.
Who do I call about a tree in the city right-of-way?
A tree between the sidewalk and the street is a city tree in Rome. The city’s Urban Forestry crew handles trees on the city right-of-way, including removal of dead or dangerous limbs and trees. Certified arborists are on staff, and the crew is on call 24/7 during severe weather. Start with the City of Rome Street Department at 706-236-4585. Urban Forestry does not remove trees from private property.
If a city tree damaged your car or house, see city and county tree claims.
Who do I call first about the damage and the removal?
Call your insurer first about damage, then get a written quote for removal. Photograph everything before anything moves. Georgia’s consumer guidance says the owner of the property where a tree lands is generally responsible for the damage and hauling, unless the tree’s owner knew it was dangerous. Neighbor tree rules · What removal costs
Do I call a tree service or an arborist?
Call a tree service for an emergency removal. Call an arborist when the tree is still standing and you need to know whether it is dangerous. Many tree companies do both, so ask about credentials. How to choose
Who to call near you in Rome and Floyd County
Rome (ZIP codes 30161, 30162 and 30165) has its own city departments. Cave Spring is its own city too. Lindale, Shannon and Armuchee are unincorporated, so county roads and county rules apply. If you aren’t sure who owns the tree, ownership follows where the trunk stands, according to UGA Extension. Floyd County guide
Tree removal near you in Rome, GA 30161.
Frequently asked questions
Can I call 911 for a tree in my yard?
Call 911 if anyone is in danger, a line is down, the tree is on a home or the tree blocks a road. If nobody is in danger and nothing is damaged, call a tree service.
What is the difference between a downed line and an outage?
A downed or low-hanging line is a hazard. Call 911 or Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938. An outage with no hazard goes to your utility’s outage line, not 911.
Who pays to remove a fallen tree?
In Georgia, the owner of the property where the tree lands generally pays for hauling it away. A neighbor owes you only if they knew the tree was dead or diseased. Insurance may cover removal if the tree hit a covered structure.
What if I don’t know who owns the tree?
Ownership follows where the trunk stands. For a tree between the sidewalk and the street, start with the city or county. If you’re unsure, take photos and ask a tree service to look before you commit.
Sources
- Georgia Power storm guidance (call 911 or 1-888-891-0938 for fallen or low-hanging lines; never pull limbs off lines), as published by DeKalb County, Georgia: https://dekalbcountyga.gov/news/2024-09-27/more-48000-dekalb-residents-without-power
- City of Rome, “Routes in Floyd County That Are Maintained by the State” (GDOT, Floyd County Public Works and Rome Street Department numbers): https://www.romega.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=133
- City of Rome, Urban Forestry: https://www.romega.us/194/Urban-Forestry
- Georgia Consumer Protection Division, “Neighbor’s tree fell on my property”: https://consumered.georgia.gov/node/12926
- UGA Extension, “Tree Ownership and Responsibility” (Circular C-1099): https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/C-1099_2.pdf
- 11Alive, “Downed trees, powerlines across Floyd County” (Rome Fire Chief on storm calls): https://11alive.com/article/news/local/severe-weather-downed-trees-powerlines-floyd-county-rome/85-02eb3d69-74b7-4cf3-9cd6-f867228128b4
Phone numbers were read from the sources above on October 6, 2026. Agencies change numbers, so confirm before you call. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice.