Severe weather may be a fact of life for property owners in the Bradenton, Florida, area, but it can still be incredibly overwhelming when you are faced with the effects of a major storm. Everything from hurricane-level winds to heavy rains can result in even healthy, stable trees losing branches or falling over, creating dangerous conditions that can only be resolved with the help of a professional. Knowing exactly what to do when a tree falls on your property after a storm can help you get back to life as normal quickly and safely.
At Terry’s Tree Service, we are proud to be the team that local property owners trust for emergency tree removal and so much more. Below, we are covering the essential steps we recommend you take if a tree falls on your house or another part of your property during a storm.
When it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a storm, it’s always best to think safety first. A fallen tree can bring along a number of hazards that aren’t immediately obvious, including unstable limbs and damaged electricity lines. Rather than rushing in to begin the cleanup process, first make sure everyone is safe and sound and keeps away from the fallen tree. Avoid walking under hanging tree branches or attempting to climb on any structures to assess the damage. Instead, leave this job to professionals.
If a fallen tree has come into contact with electrical lines, it’s necessary to take extra precautions. This means staying at least 30 feet away from the area, even if the lines appear to be inactive. Then, contact your utility company to determine whether the lines are safe.
Documentation is a must for filing insurance claims. Once the area is safe, and prior to initiating any cleanup tasks, make time to take an ample amount of photos and videos of fallen trees, branches, and any damage that has occurred to your property or vehicles. Be sure all images are as clear as possible, capturing multiple angles as well as close-up and wide shots.
It’s also a good idea to create a written list of damage to your property and maintain detailed records of any emergency expenses that have arisen due to the storm damage.
The next step is to get in touch with an experienced team of arborists, such as the local experts at Terry’s Tree Service. Partnering with a qualified tree service will ensure the situation is properly evaluated and safely cleaned up. Our experts will conduct a thorough assessment to determine a plan of action that could include safely removing the tree to allow for access to your property, pruning broken branches, and evaluating whether other trees have been affected by the storm. In certain situations, we may also be able to provide corrective care to preserve damaged trees and restore their health.
If a tree fell on your property during a storm, our team at Terry’s Tree Service can help you get back to life as normal. Contact us today to get started with emergency tree removal in Bradenton, FL, or a nearby community.