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What to Do When Storms Cause Trees to Fall and Inflict Property Damage on the Home
11/24/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian offers tips on how homeowners can safely deal with a fallen tree and storm damage in Red Oak, TX.
Severe weather can strike at any time, causing homeowners and businesses to need flood damage restoration in Red Oak, TX. The team at SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian urges residents to be prepared. One area of preparation often overlooked by homeowners and businesses is the treescape.
Trees are an asset to any landscape. They provide shade from the hot Texas sun while adding beauty and value to the home. According to an article at HGTV, “Towering trees on your property provide more than beauty — they increase the value of your home. Several recent nationwide surveys show that mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can increase the value of a house by 7 percent to 19 percent.”
Like any asset, trees must be maintained to preserve their value. Diseased portions of the tree must be pruned, and dead limbs need to be removed. Occasionally, an entire tree or cluster of trees must be removed to preserve healthy trees and protect people, pets, and personal property from being harmed by falling limbs or trees.
In some instances, the untrained eye can spot dead or diseased limbs. A stiff breeze or mild thunderstorm will bring down debris that, when examined, is obviously diseased, dead, or rotted. Sometimes, a tree’s health issues are hidden under a lush cover of grass or thick bed of mulch. Without warning, the tree may topple when the circumstances overpower the ability of the root structure to hold the tree in place. A sudden, strong gust of wind, a thunderstorm, tornado, or hurricane can destabilize the tree, causing it to fall in the yard or on the house. A mature hardwood tree with a trunk width of 26 inches may weigh in at four or five tons. A tree this size can cause significant damage if it falls on a roof.
What to do when a tree falls in the yard
#1. Stay safe. Ensure that everyone is unharmed.
#2. Assess the situation carefully but cautiously. The fallen tree may have downed power lines or damaged other trees, which may fall over or lose limbs and branches without warning.
#3. Call in the appropriate professionals to restore utilities and remove or prune fallen or damaged trees.
What to do if a tree topples on a home
When a tree falls on a home, the disruption can be stressful, inconvenient, and costly. Personal safety is always of utmost importance. Here are some steps to follow in the event of storm damage caused by a tree that has fallen on a home.
- Immediately evacuate the area damaged by the impact of the tree.
In a two- or more story dwelling, move to the main or ground floor as quickly and safely as possible.
- Take a headcount and check for injuries.
The chaos can be stressful and disorienting. After regrouping, re-evaluate the situation for hazards. If needed, relocate to a safer place in the home.
- Dial 911 for emergency assistance from medical or fire first responders if needed.
Physical injuries or shock may require emergency medical services. If the power is still on, damage caused by the tree could increase the risk of fire. In this case, the fire department and the utility company should be notified.
- Contact the property damage cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian.
A crew can be on the scene in about half an hour to assess the situation and install emergency tarping to prevent further water intrusion. The abatement of the water intrusion can greatly reduce the amount of water damage inside the home, reducing the time and expense of the storm damage restoration project. The team will inspect and assess the damaged area and present a detailed estimate with documentation, including images and video. The SERVPRO staff can manage the cleanup and restoration from beginning to end, including handling the insurance claims process.
- Protect personal belongings from further water damage while waiting for the SERVPRO team to arrive.
If conditions inside the home are safe, move furniture and personal belongings to safe, dry areas. Items that cannot be moved should be covered with a tarp or plastic sheeting. Secure any valuables such as jewelry, art, firearms, electronic devices, and important documents.
- Contact a licensed, bonded, and insured arborist.
The company should be experienced in removing trees that have fallen onto a structure. Tree removal is complex and requires expertise, the right equipment, and appropriate safety measures to prevent further damage to the home.
The team of technicians at SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian are available 24/7, 365 days a year, and are within a thirty-minute drive or less of any home or business in Red Oak, TX, and surrounding areas. For more information about the storm damage restoration company, email SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian at acarey@SERVPRO10932.com. Staff can also be reached by phone at (972) 935-0827.