What to Do After a Windstorm: Tree Damage Checklist

Southern California windstorms can cause serious tree damage in a matter of minutes. If your property has been hit, here's a step-by-step checklist of what to do to stay safe and protect your property.

1. Stay Away from Downed Power Lines

This is the most important step. If a tree has brought down power lines, assume the lines are live and stay at least 30 feet away. Call 911 and your utility company immediately. Do not approach the tree, touch it, or try to move it. A downed power line can energize the ground around it, creating an invisible and deadly hazard zone.

2. Assess from a Safe Distance

Once you've confirmed no power lines are involved, take a look at the damage from a safe vantage point. Are there hanging branches that could fall? Is the tree split or cracked? Is the tree leaning in a new direction? A leaning tree can fall at any moment — don't walk under it.

3. Document the Damage

Take photos of everything before any cleanup begins. If you'll be filing an insurance claim, documentation is critical. Photograph the tree, the damage to structures, and any debris. The more photos, the better. Your insurance company will need evidence of the damage to process your claim.

4. Call a Professional Tree Service

Unless the damage is a single small branch you can safely pick up, call a professional. Removing storm-damaged trees is one of the most dangerous jobs in tree care — trees can be under tension, branches can shift unexpectedly, and the structural integrity of the tree may be compromised. Our emergency crews are trained for exactly these situations and have the equipment to handle them safely.

5. Contact Your Insurance Company

If the tree damaged a structure — your house, fence, shed, or vehicle — call your insurance company. Many homeowners policies cover tree removal when there's structural damage. Ask what documentation they need, and we'll provide detailed invoices and photo reports to support your claim.

6. Have Remaining Trees Inspected

After a storm, have the trees that are still standing professionally inspected. A tree that survived this storm may have hidden damage — root destabilization, internal cracks, or structural weakness — that could cause it to fail in the next one. An annual inspection catches these problems before they become emergencies.

Need Emergency Tree Service?

If you're dealing with storm damage right now, call us at (951) 925-7437. We offer 24-hour emergency response throughout Riverside County. We answer the phone 24/7 and we'll send a crew as quickly as possible.