Storm Damage in Kansas City? What to Do If a Tree Falls on Your Property
A strong storm can bring down a tree in seconds. If a tree has fallen on your house, car, fence, or driveway, here’s what to do:
Below, we explain each step in more detail.
1. Stay away from the tree
A fallen tree is not always done moving. Branches can be bent under pressure, and limbs still up in the tree can break off and fall without warning. The ground around the roots can also be loose.
Keep your distance and keep kids and pets inside until the area is safe. Don’t climb on the tree or try to move branches to see how bad it is.
2. Check for power lines
Before you go near the tree, look up and around for wires. If the tree or any branch is touching a power line, treat the line as live. Electricity can travel through wet wood and wet ground.
Do not touch the tree, the branches, or the wire.
Call Evergy or your utility company to report it.
If anyone is hurt or there’s an immediate danger, call 911.
Only the utility company should handle trees tangled in power lines.
3. Take photos and videos
If you can do it safely, document everything before any cleanup starts. Take pictures of:
The fallen tree from several angles
Your roof, walls, windows, or gutters
Fences, sheds, or decks
Cars or anything else that got hit
Take wide shots that show the whole scene and close-ups of the damage. Your insurance company will likely ask for these, and once the tree is removed, you can’t go back and get them.
4. Call your insurance company
Many homeowners policies cover storm damage when a tree hits your house or another covered structure. Coverage depends on your policy and what the tree landed on.
Call your insurance company and ask:
Is this damage covered?
Do you need an adjuster to come out before cleanup?
What photos or paperwork do you need?
Is tree removal covered, and up to what amount?
If the tree is causing an emergency, like a hole in your roof letting rain in, ask what you’re allowed to do right away to prevent more damage.
5. Check your other trees
The tree that fell isn’t the only one to worry about. Storms can weaken trees that are still standing. From a safe distance, look for:
Cracked or broken branches still hanging in the tree
Splits in the trunk
Trees leaning more than they did before the storm
Roots pushed up or soil lifted at the base
Branches resting on your roof
A tree that made it through one storm may not make it through the next one. If something looks wrong, have it checked.
6. Don’t cut large trees yourself
For small branches in the yard, cleaning up yourself is usually fine. For large trees, it’s one of the most dangerous jobs a homeowner can try.
Storm-damaged trees are often twisted or pinned under their own weight. When you cut them, they can snap back or roll in ways you don’t expect. A tree resting on your house can shift and cause more damage, or fall on you.
Leave large trees, trees on buildings, and anything near power lines to a professional crew with the right equipment.
7. Call a local tree removal company
Tree Men Service LLC helps property owners in the Kansas City area with professional tree removal and tree care services.
If you're dealing with fallen trees, broken branches, or potentially hazardous trees after severe weather, contact our team to discuss your situation and available service options.
Looking for Emergency Tree Removal in Kansas City?
Tree down? Call now. We’re available 24/7.
Tree Men Service LLC responds to storm damage across the Kansas City area. Free estimates.
(816) 916-2268