Short answer: If a tree comes down in a storm, stay away from any wires and call your utility or 911 first. Then photograph the damage and request emergency help, and we'll connect you with an independent local tree crew in the Florence area.
Tree down? Safety first
- Stay away from wires. Assume any line touching a tree is live. Call your electric utility or 911. Don't try to move limbs off lines.
- Get out if the structure is damaged. If a tree has come through the roof, leave that part of the house until it's checked.
- Take photos of the tree and damage before anything is moved, for your insurance claim.
- Don't run a chainsaw on a loaded tree. Trees resting on a roof, or bent under tension, can spring or roll when cut.
What counts as an emergency
- A tree or large limb on the house, garage or car
- A tree blocking your only driveway or road access
- A tree split or hung up in other trees, leaning toward the house after a storm
- Limbs on a fence holding in livestock or pets
What to tell the contractor
- Where it fell and what it hit
- Whether any wires are involved (if so, the utility goes first)
- Whether water is getting into the house, since a roof may need tarping
- Your insurance company, if you're filing a claim
After big storms
After hurricanes and tropical storms, every crew in the region is booked. Out-of-town crews show up quickly too. Ask for insurance proof and a written price before work starts. Availability, response times and after-hours service depend on the contractor.