Storm & Emergency

A Tree Fell on Your House — Exactly What to Do

By Tommy Lowery's Tree Service · Updated June 2026

Between hurricanes blowing up from the coast, summer thunderstorms, and the occasional winter ice storm, the Raleigh area sees its share of trees coming down on homes. If it just happened to you, take a breath — here's a clear, calm order of operations that keeps your family safe and protects your insurance claim.

1. Get everyone to safety

Move everyone away from the affected rooms. If the roof or ceiling is sagging, cracked, or letting water in, get out of the house entirely until it's been checked. A tree that's already fallen can still shift.

2. Stay clear of power lines — assume they're live

If the tree brought down power lines, or if lines are touching the tree, stay far away and keep everyone back. Never touch a tree that's in contact with power lines. Call 911 and your utility company immediately. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside.

3. Document everything for insurance

Before anyone moves a branch, take plenty of photos and video — the tree, the damage to the structure, and any damage inside. This documentation is what your insurance adjuster will want to see.

• Wide shots showing the whole scene
• Close-ups of structural and interior damage
• Anything personal that was damaged

4. Call a 24/7 emergency tree service

Your next call is to a professional crew who can make the property safe — stabilize or remove the tree and tarp the opening so more rain doesn't get in. This is not a DIY job: a tree resting on a structure is under tension and can move suddenly, and chainsaw work near a damaged roof is dangerous. A crew with a crane can lift the tree off cleanly, which often prevents further damage during removal.

5. Contact your insurance company

Call your homeowners insurer to open a claim. Many policies cover a tree falling on a covered structure, though every policy is different. Keep receipts for any emergency work — emergency mitigation to prevent further damage is frequently reimbursable.

What NOT to do

• Don't climb on the roof to look — let a pro assess it.
• Don't cut into the tree yourself, especially under tension or near lines.
• Don't throw away damaged items before they're documented.
• Don't sign with the first storm-chaser who knocks on your door — use a licensed, insured local company you can verify.

We're here 24/7

Tommy Lowery's Tree Service has been responding to storm damage across Raleigh for over 30 years, with the crane and bucket-truck equipment to get a tree off your home safely — day or night.