If a tree fell on your house and you are wondering what to do, take a slow breath. Staying safe and documenting the damage come first, and the rest can be handled in order. Rain often follows a storm, so moisture can soak into the home quickly. That is where our storm damage restoration team can help once the danger has passed.
To be clear about roles, AMC Restoration handles water removal, drying, and cleanup. We do not remove trees or repair roofs, so you will want a licensed tree service and a roofer for those jobs. This guide covers the safe next steps and who to call.
Why Trees Fall on Homes in Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee gets heavy storms, and the ground can stay soft for days afterward. Saturated soil loosens the grip of roots, especially on trees with shallow root systems. Strong winds then do the rest.
Dead, diseased, or leaning trees are common culprits, but healthy trees can come down too. A tree on the roof or across the fence can happen in minutes, with little warning.
The damage does not stop at the impact. If the roof or wall is open, rain can pour into the attic, ceilings, and walls overnight. If water has already reached your living space, our water damage cleanup in Franklin and nearby towns covers the wet side of the job.
Tree Fell on Your House? What to Do in the First 15 Minutes
Safety comes first, and belongings come second. Work through these in order.
Get Everyone Out if the Structure Seems Unstable
If you hear creaking, see sagging ceilings, or notice new cracks in the walls, get everyone outside, including pets. Stay out until a professional says it is safe. A roof or wall that looks steady can still shift.
Stay Away From Downed Power Lines
Treat every downed line as live. Stay well back from the lines and from any tree touching them, then call the utility company or 911. Do not touch the tree if it rests on a line. For official guidance, see: FEMA storm safety.
If You Smell Gas
Leave the house right away, and do not flip light switches on your way out. Call the gas company or 911 from outside.
Tree on the Roof: What to Do Before You Go Back Inside
Once everyone is safe, stay on the ground. Look at the damage from a distance, and do not climb onto the roof or enter rooms under the damaged area. Wait for the utility, fire department, or a qualified pro to clear the area.
9 Steps to Take Right Away
When a tree fell on your house, these nine steps protect your family and your claim. Our water damage restoration checklist covers the water side in more detail.
- Get everyone out and account for family members and pets.
- Call 911 or the utility if there are downed lines, fire, or a gas smell.
- Keep clear of the tree and anything it is touching, since limbs under tension can snap back.
- Take photos and video from a safe distance, covering the tree, the damage, and any water inside.
- Call your insurance company to report the damage and ask what they need from you.
- Call a licensed tree service to remove the tree safely.
- Ask a roofer or similar pro about temporary tarping or a board up for the opening.
- Move belongings away from wet areas, and keep every receipt for temporary repairs.
- Call a water damage company if rain or moisture got inside, so drying can start early.
What Not to Do After a Tree Hits Your Home
A few well meant moves can make things worse. For more on staying safe after a storm, see: storm recovery safety.
- Do not cut the tree yourself near the house or power lines. Wood under tension can move without warning.
- Do not climb onto a damaged roof. It may not hold your weight.
- Do not throw away damaged items before you photograph them.
- Do not sign a contract with a door knocker on the spot. Take time to check licenses and references.
Tree Fell on House: Who to Call and in What Order
Hazards come first. Call 911 or the utility if there are downed lines, fire, or a gas smell.
Next, call your insurance company to start the claim. Then book a licensed tree service for removal, and a roofer for the roof and any temporary protection. Call a restoration company like AMC Restoration for the water removal, drying, and cleanup.
Some of these calls can happen the same day, and that is fine. The key is not letting wet materials sit while you wait on the others.
When to Call for Storm Damage Restoration in Franklin
Consider calling for storm damage restoration in Franklin, TN if rain came through the opening or insulation is soaked. The same goes for wet or sagging drywall or ceilings, damp carpet, or a musty smell.
Mold can begin to grow in damp materials within 24 to 48 hours, as general guidance. The EPA guidance on mold cleanup in your home explains why drying quickly matters.
If you need emergency water restoration help, call 931-416-5131. AMC Restoration offers a free estimate for storm and water damage cleanup after a tree falls on a home.
Insurance and Documentation
Good records make a claim easier to explain. Take photos and video of the tree, the damage, and every wet area. Write notes with the date and time, and keep receipts for anything you buy or pay for.
Call your insurer early. Whether the tree was yours or a neighbor’s can matter, and your insurer can explain how it applies to your situation. We cannot give legal advice or promise coverage, and AMC Restoration does not make insurance decisions.
Tree Fell on My House: Insurance Questions to Ask
Ask what your policy covers for tree damage and for water that came in afterward. Ask what documents they want and whether you need an adjuster visit before temporary repairs. For background, read about how homeowners insurance treats water damage.
Storm Damage Help in Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill and Columbia
AMC Restoration serves homeowners across Middle Tennessee, and storms do not respect city lines. We respond in Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and Columbia.
Brentwood homeowners can learn more about storm and water damage restoration in Brentwood. Neighbors in Spring Hill and Columbia can reach us the same way.
How AMC Restoration Helps After a Tree Hits Your Home
Our job begins where the water begins. We remove standing water with pumps and extractors, then check how far moisture has traveled, including places you cannot see.
Next comes structural drying and mitigation, which uses air movers and dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of floors, walls, and framing. Drying quickly also helps prevent mold. We respond 24/7, because storms rarely wait for business hours.
FAQs
A tree just fell on my house during the storm. What do I do first?
Get everyone outside if anything feels unstable, and stay away from downed lines or any gas smell. Call 911 or the utility if there are hazards. Once you are safe, take photos from a distance and call your insurer.
Is it safe to stay in the house after a tree hits the roof?
Not always. If you see sagging ceilings or new cracks, or hear creaking, leave and stay out until a pro says it is safe. Even if it looks fine, a damaged roof can hide problems, so have the structure checked before you sleep inside.
Tree fell on my house, who do I call first: insurance, tree service, or a roofer?
Hazards come first, so call 911 or the utility if lines are down or you smell gas. After that, call your insurer, then a licensed tree service and a roofer. If water got inside, AMC Restoration can handle the removal, drying, and cleanup.
Will homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on my house?
Often it can, but it depends on your policy and the details, including whether the tree was yours or a neighbor’s. Call your insurer soon and ask directly. No one outside your insurance company can promise an outcome.
There’s a hole in my roof from a tree and more rain is coming. What can I do tonight?
Stay off the roof. Ask a roofer or a tarp service whether temporary tarping or a board up is possible tonight. In the meantime, move belongings away from the wet area, set out buckets, and take photos for your claim.
How much does storm damage cleanup after a tree falls on a house usually cost in Franklin?
There is no single number, because every situation is different. The price depends on the size of the opening, how much water got in, and which materials got wet. It also depends on how long moisture sat and how much drying time is needed. AMC Restoration can look at your home and give you a free estimate.
Conclusion
A tree on your home is scary, but you now know the order: safety, photos, insurer, tree service, roofer, then water cleanup. Wet materials need attention fast, so do not let that last step wait.
AMC Restoration is available 24/7 and serves Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, and Columbia. Ready for help? Get a free estimate from AMC Restoration for storm and water damage cleanup after a tree falls on a home, or call 931-416-5131.
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