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What to do if…
a tree has uprooted or is leaning toward your home after severe weather

Short answer

Keep everyone out of the fall zone and away from any wires. If there’s immediate danger or any involvement of power lines, call 911; otherwise contact your utility (if lines are nearby), your insurer, and a licensed/insured tree professional to make it safe.

Do not do these things

Don’t go under the leaning side or near the lifted root plate (it can shift without warning).
Don’t touch or approach downed or low-hanging wires—assume they are energized.
Don’t drive through standing water if downed lines could be in or near it.
Don’t try to cut, pull, or brace a storm-damaged tree yourself.
Don’t use ladders, climb the tree, or work on the roof near it.
Don’t let children/pets into the yard/driveway area around the tree.

What to do now

Move people to a safer spot and set a perimeter.
Get everyone away from the direction the tree could fall (including rooms in that path). Keep a wide buffer around the tree and any hanging limbs.
Treat electricity as the top risk (assume all wires are live).
If the tree is on/near power lines, you see any downed wire, or anything is sparking:
- Call 911 immediately and say it’s a potential electrical hazard.
- Report it to your electric utility as well.
  Stay well back and keep others back until utility crews say it’s safe.
If the tree is actively threatening occupied space, act like it could happen soon.
Move everyone out of the threatened area (or leave the home if the safest rooms are still in the fall zone). Keep exits clear.
If it’s in the public right-of-way, report it to local services.
If it’s blocking a street/sidewalk/parkway or appears to be a public “street tree,” use 911 for immediate danger; otherwise contact your city/county public works, parks, or street-tree service.
If it’s on private property, get professional help quickly.
Contact a licensed and insured tree service/arborist and describe: “uprooted/leaning toward the house after severe weather.” Avoid anyone suggesting DIY bracing or quick cutting without a site assessment.
Reduce the impact if it falls (only if safe and quick).
From a safe position: move vehicles and loose items out of the fall zone; keep doorways/driveways clear for responders.
Document and notify your insurer.
Take photos/video from a safe distance (lean angle, exposed roots, proximity to roof/windows, any visible damage). Contact your homeowners insurer to report potential storm damage and ask about emergency mitigation.
If the house has been hit or looks structurally stressed, leave and get help.
If you see major cracks, shifting/sagging, or smell gas, leave the building and call 911. Only shut off utilities if you can do it without entering the danger area.

What can wait

You don’t need to decide fault/responsibility right now.
You don’t need to start cleanup immediately (especially not with chainsaws).
You don’t need repair estimates before the situation is made safe.
You can wait on non-urgent calls/messages until everyone is safe and hazards are controlled.

Important reassurance

Wanting to “handle it quickly” is a normal reaction. Storm-damaged trees can move unpredictably, and the safest first move is usually distance + perimeter + the right call(s)—especially if electricity might be involved.

Scope note

This covers first steps for the next few hours. After the immediate hazard is controlled, next steps may include insurer-directed mitigation, professional tree assessment/removal, and (if needed) a structural inspection.

Important note

This is general information, not professional advice. If you think anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Treat any downed or low-hanging wire as energized and keep away until cleared by professionals.

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What to do if…a tree has uprooted or is leaning toward your home after severe weather