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What to do if…
a tree or large branch is leaning or hanging over your home after a storm

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Move everyone and all pets away from the tree, branch, and any damaged part of the home. Call 911 if anyone is injured or trapped, the building is shifting, or a damaged power line, fire, or other immediate danger is present.

Do not do these things

  • Do not stand beneath or close to the tree or hanging branch.
  • Do not climb the tree, enter the damaged roof area, or use a ladder nearby.
  • Do not cut, pull, push, brace, or try to dislodge the tree or branch yourself.
  • Do not use a chainsaw on a bent, split, suspended, or hanging branch.
  • Do not touch a damaged power line or anything it may be touching, including a tree, fence, vehicle, or pooled water.
  • Do not walk or drive over a downed power line.
  • Do not move a vehicle or belongings if reaching them would put you beneath the tree or branch.
  • Do not enter a visibly damaged part of the home to collect non-essential items.

What to do now

  1. Move to the part of the home farthest from the tree or branch, or leave through an exit that does not take you beneath or close to the hazard.

  2. If the building is shifting, making unusual structural noises, or visibly damaged, leave by a safe route and move well away. Call 911 if there is no safe way out or the structure appears to be failing.

  3. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured or trapped, there is a fire, or a damaged power line is sparking, touching the home, or creating an immediate danger.

  4. Treat every downed or damaged power line as energized. Keep people and pets well away, staying at least 35 feet back where possible, and report it to the electric utility as well as emergency services when appropriate.

  5. From a safe location, note whether the tree is leaning farther than before, roots or soil are lifting, the trunk is split, a branch is suspended, or the roof or walls have been struck. Do not approach to inspect these signs.

  6. Contact an ISA-credentialed arborist or qualified emergency tree-care service. Tell them that a storm-damaged tree or large branch is over an occupied home and mention any building contact, hanging limbs, lifted roots, split wood, or power lines.

  7. Keep everyone out of the affected rooms and outdoor fall area. If the home has visible structural damage, do not re-enter that part until an appropriate local authority or qualified building professional says it is safe.

  8. Take photographs or video only from a safe location. Once the immediate danger is controlled, notify your insurer and keep a record of the damage and calls you have made.

What can wait

You do not need to decide whether the tree can be saved, arrange routine pruning, clear ordinary debris, choose permanent repairs, or settle ownership and responsibility questions now. Detailed estimates, insurance paperwork, landscaping plans, and non-urgent cleanup can wait until the immediate tree, electrical, and structural hazards are controlled.

Important reassurance

A storm-damaged tree or suspended branch may remain hazardous even when it appears still. Your task right now is only to create distance, keep others away, and contact the people equipped to assess and control the danger.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps after a storm. Later decisions may require an arborist, electric utility, fire department, local building authority, structural engineer, roofing contractor, insurer, or property-law professional.

Important note

This is general information, not emergency, legal, insurance, structural, electrical, or arboricultural advice. Follow instructions from 911 dispatchers, emergency responders, the electric utility, and local authorities.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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