Storm guide

Tornadoes and trees: staying safe after the storm and handling the rush

A tornado hits a narrow path, but inside that path the damage to trees can be severe. This page covers what homeowners should and should not do, and how a tree company can plan for a sudden, local flood of calls.

By Umair Nawaz, Lirevon. Last reviewed: October 2026. See all storm guides.

In danger or a downed power line? Call 911. Call your utility for downed lines. Stay away from the tree and anything it touches.

For homeowners

Staying safe around your trees

Safety first. A tree can wait, a person cannot. Please read this before you think about the tree work.

People and pets first

Check on everyone in your home. If someone is hurt or in danger, call 911. Do not go back into a damaged building until officials say it is safe.

Smell gas or hear hissing? Leave

Get everyone out and call the gas company or 911 from outside. Do not turn lights or switches on or off, and do not use a flame.

Treat every power line as live

Stay far back from downed lines and from any tree or fence touching one. Do not move a branch that lies on a line. Call your utility company and report it.

Do not go under or near damaged trees

Split trunks, leaning trees and limbs hung up in the crown can fall without warning. Keep people, pets and cars out of the area around them.

Do not use a chainsaw on storm-loaded wood

Twisted and pinned wood is under tension and can spring, kick or roll when cut. Storm work is for trained, insured crews with the right gear. Leave it to them.

Take photos from a safe spot

Photograph the damage before anything moves. Wide shots and close shots help when you talk to your insurance company. Short explanation, not insurance advice: ask your insurer what they need.

Be careful with door-to-door offers

After a big storm, crews you do not know may knock on doors. Ask for proof of insurance, get a written quote, and do not pay the full amount up front. Read our guide on how to hire a tree service.

Next steps: read what to do after a storm, learn how emergency tree service works, and use the hiring checklist before you sign anything.

Lirevon does not do tree work and does not list or rank tree companies. You can find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews. Get two or three written quotes, and check for insurance.

For tree companies

Planning the work and the phones

A tornado gives you a very sharp, very local rush. These are the habits that help a small crew cope without cutting corners.

Expect a spike in one small area

Calls come from a few streets, not the whole county. Plan crews and trucks around that zone, and keep your regular customers informed about delays.

Do not enter closed zones

Police and fire crews often close the hardest-hit streets. Wait for the area to open. Never self-dispatch into an area with live lines or gas issues.

Plan for lost phones and power

Cell service and power may be down for days. Set up your missed-call text-back and inbox before the season so callers still reach you when they get a signal.

Assume metal and debris in the wood

Nails, wire, roofing and glass can be inside trees and debris piles. Plan for dull chains and more filing time, and wear the right PPE.

Triage in a written order

Life safety and blocked access first, then trees on structures, then yards and fences. Tell customers where they are in the order and give honest wait times.

Document every job

Take before and after photos for each address. Use a photo checklist so nothing is missed, and give the customer a written scope.

Price fairly and in writing

Storm work is harder and riskier, but it is not a license to gouge. Explain what drives the price and keep it consistent. Some states have price-gouging rules after a declared emergency; check yours. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Know your limits

Hung-up trees, trees on houses and anything near lines may need a bucket truck, a crane or a utility crew. Say no to jobs you cannot do safely.

Helpful pages: the storm season guide, pricing storm work, job site safety and the crane work guide.

Other storm pages: all storm guides, hurricanes, ice storms and high winds and derechos.

Want help catching every call? See our services and pricing, or ask for a free audit. Lirevon is new and has no tree-service clients yet, so we make no claims about results.

Common questions

What should I do first after a tornado hits my yard?

Check on people and pets, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and leave at once if you smell gas. Stay away from downed power lines. Trees come after all of that.

Is it safe to cut up a fallen tree myself?

Usually not. Storm-damaged trees can be twisted, split or pinned under tension, and they may touch a power line. Trained, insured crews have the gear and the training. Please leave it to them.

Who do I call about a tree on a power line?

Call your electric utility, and call 911 if anyone is in danger. Do not touch the tree or anything it touches, and keep other people back.

How do I tell a good tree company from a storm chaser?

Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers comp, a written quote and a local reference. Be careful with anyone who asks for the full amount up front. Our hiring checklist lists the steps.

Will insurance pay for tree removal after a tornado?

It depends on your policy and on where the tree fell. This is a short explanation, not insurance advice, so call your insurer. Photos and written quotes help. Our trees and insurance page explains the common questions.

Why is tornado damage hard for tree companies to plan for?

Tornadoes give little warning and damage a narrow path. A company may have almost no calls one day and far more than it can handle the next, all from a few streets.

Can a tree company take every call after a tornado?

Rarely. Good companies triage by danger, say how long the wait is and refer jobs they cannot do safely. Honest wait times are better than silence.

How does a small tree company keep up with the calls?

Set up missed-call text-back, a single inbox, and a written triage order before the season. Our storm capacity planner helps you work out crews and days to clear emergencies.

Should I take photos before the tree is moved?

Yes, from a safe place. Wide and close photos help with insurance claims and give the crew a clear picture of the job. Never step into danger for a photo.

This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Follow local officials and your utility.

Be ready before the next storm

Lirevon helps tree companies answer every call, even in a rush. Get a free audit, see the services or read about the Never-Miss-A-Job System.