What to Do When a Storm Brings a Tree Down in Chattanooga
A step-by-step guide for Chattanooga homeowners after a storm: safety, power lines, insurance photos and choosing a tree crew.
Start with safety
Stay away from any tree or limb touching a power line, and assume the line is live. Keep kids and pets inside. If a tree hit the house, check for gas smells, cracked ceilings or water coming in before you walk through, and leave if anything seems wrong.
Report downed lines to EPB right away. The utility makes the line safe first; a tree crew can only work once that is done.
Document everything for insurance
Before anything is moved, take photos and video from several angles: the tree, where it hit, the damage inside, and the stump or root plate. Most homeowners policies cover removal when a tree damages a covered structure, but coverage for a tree that simply fell in the yard is often limited. Call your insurer early and ask what they need.
Keep receipts for any emergency work, such as tarping a roof, because that is often reimbursable when it prevents further damage.
Hangers and leaners
The most dangerous part of storm cleanup is what has not fallen yet: broken limbs caught in the canopy and trees leaning on other trees. These can drop without warning. Leave them to a crew with climbing and rigging gear, and keep people out from under them.
Choosing a crew after a storm
After big storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors across Hamilton County. Some are fine; some disappear with a deposit. Ask for a written estimate, proof of insurance and a local address. A reasonable deposit for a large job is normal; full payment before work starts is a red flag.
If the tree is near the street or sidewalk, it may be a public tree. Removing a public tree needs a permit from the city's Urban Forestry program, so check before the crew cuts.
After the cleanup
Once the debris is gone, have the remaining trees near the house looked at. Storms often loosen roots or crack limbs on trees that are still standing. A hazard assessment now is cheaper than a second tree on the roof next spring.