Storm Damage Tree Removal in Georgia: What to Do After Severe Weather
I’m Rudy Perez, owner of All In Tree Services and Pro. Georgia averages 50 to 70 thunderstorm days per year, and I have been through enough storm seasons to know exactly how they play out. The phone starts ringing before the rain even stops. Here is what I tell every homeowner who calls us after a storm: what to do first, what it costs, and how insurance usually handles it.
What to Do Right After the Storm
Stay away from the tree.
Do not walk under, climb on, or try to cut any part of a fallen or damaged tree. Broken branches under tension can snap in directions you do not expect. If the tree is touching or near a power line, stay at least 35 feet away and call 911. A downed line can energize the wet ground around it.
Check for injuries and structural damage.
If anyone is hurt or trapped, call 911 first. If the tree hit your house, check for visible damage from a safe distance. Do not go into rooms where the ceiling or walls look compromised.
Document everything.
Before anyone touches the tree, take photos and video from multiple angles. Get the tree, the damage it caused, and the surrounding area. Your insurance company will need this. Photograph the root ball, the trunk, and the point of impact on any structure. I always tell customers: the more photos you take now, the smoother the claim process goes later.
Call your insurance company.
File a claim as soon as you can. Most homeowners policies have a time window for reporting storm damage. Your insurer will walk you through next steps and may send an adjuster within a few days.
Call a tree service.
Contact a licensed, insured emergency tree removal crew to assess the situation and get the tree off your property safely. Do not try to take down a large fallen tree yourself, especially if it is on a structure or anywhere near power lines.
What Storm Damage Tree Removal Costs
Storm work varies a lot depending on where the tree landed, how big it is, and how urgent the situation is.
Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
Small tree or large limbs on the ground, no structure damage | $300 to $1,000 |
Medium tree across a driveway or fence | $800 to $2,000 |
Large tree on a roof or structure | $1,500 to $5,000+ |
Tree on power lines (utility coordination needed) | $2,000 to $5,000+ |
Hanging limbs or “widow makers” in the canopy | $300 to $1,500 |
Emergency and after-hours surcharge. If you need a crew out right away during or right after a storm, expect a 20% to 50% premium over standard removal pricing. That reflects the urgency, the risk, and the fact that every crew in the area is fielding calls at the same time.
Crane work. If a large tree landed on a structure and cannot be removed safely with standard rigging, a crane may be needed. That adds $500 to $2,000+ to the total. See our tree removal cost guide for more on crane pricing.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover This?
The short answer: usually yes, if the tree hit a covered structure. But the details matter, so here is how it typically breaks down in Georgia.
Covered (tree hits a structure):
- Tree falls on your house, garage, shed, or fence
- Tree falls on your car (that goes through auto insurance, not homeowners)
- Tree blocks your driveway and you cannot get out (some policies cover this)
Usually NOT covered (tree falls in the yard):
- Tree falls in your yard but misses every structure
- Dead tree falls and the insurer decides you should have had it removed sooner
- Neighbor’s tree falls onto your property (your insurance usually covers your structures; you generally cannot force the neighbor to pay unless they were clearly negligent)
Typical coverage limits:
- Most Georgia homeowners policies include $500 to $1,000 per tree for removal after it hits a covered structure
- Some policies cap total tree removal at $2,500 to $5,000 per storm event
- Your deductible applies. A $1,000 deductible on a $1,500 removal means you are paying out of pocket
How to handle the claim:
- Call your insurer right after the storm
- Send them the photos and video you took
- Get a written estimate from a licensed tree service (some insurers want two)
- Wait for the adjuster if they require one, unless the tree is an immediate safety hazard
- Keep every receipt. If you paid for emergency tarping, temporary repairs, or same-day removal to prevent further damage, those costs are usually reimbursable
If it is an emergency, do not wait. I tell customers this all the time: if a tree is actively threatening people or could cause more structural damage, have it removed and document everything. Most insurers understand that true emergencies cannot wait for a claims process. Just keep your photos, receipts, and the tree service estimate.
What Happens During an Emergency Removal
Here is how it works when you call us after a storm:
Assessment. We inspect the tree, the damage, and the surrounding area. We check for power lines, gas lines, and anything else that could make the job dangerous. This takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Plan. Based on what we see, we figure out the safest way to take the tree apart. If it is on a structure, we plan each cut to avoid shifting weight onto the roof or walls. If power lines are involved, the utility company needs to shut them down before we start.
Removal. We cut the tree in sections, starting with the limbs that are free-hanging and working toward the main trunk. Each section is lowered or guided away from the structure. This is not fast chainsaw work. It is deliberate and careful, because one wrong cut can make things worse. I spend more time in a harness and in the bucket than I do in the office, and this kind of work is exactly why.
Cleanup. We remove all wood, branches, and debris from your property. If the tree was big, we chip branches on site to reduce the volume. The stump stays unless you add stump grinding to the job.
Wait times after major storms. After a big storm, every tree crew in Atlanta is running full out. Wait times of 2 to 5 days are normal. We prioritize trees on structures and near power lines first. Trees that fell in the yard without hitting anything may have to wait a bit longer. We are honest about timing because I would rather set the right expectation than make a promise I cannot keep.
Storm Damage Patterns We See in Georgia
Severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds. The most common cause of tree damage in our area. Winds of 60 to 80 mph snap trunks, uproot shallow-rooted trees, and rip large branches from canopies. Pines are especially vulnerable because of their height and relatively shallow root systems.
Ice storms. North Georgia sees these every few years. Even a quarter inch of ice can add hundreds of pounds to a canopy, snapping branches or splitting whole trees. Hardwoods with broad crowns (oaks, maples) take the worst damage.
Tornadoes. Georgia averages 20 to 30 tornadoes per year. The damage is concentrated but severe. Trees get twisted off at the base, snapped mid-trunk, or ripped out of the ground entirely.
Hurricane and tropical storm remnants. Tropical systems that push through Georgia bring sustained wind and heavy rain that saturates the soil. Trees in waterlogged ground lose their grip and go over much more easily.
Across Fayetteville, Lithia Springs, Woodstock, and the rest of our service area, thunderstorm damage keeps our emergency crew busy from April through October.
How to Reduce Your Storm Damage Risk
You cannot stop a storm, but you can make your trees less likely to cause damage when one hits.
Regular tree trimming. Removing dead branches, thinning dense canopies, and reducing sail area makes trees more resistant to high winds. Trees trimmed every 3 to 5 years are significantly less likely to lose large branches during storms. I always tell customers: tree work is cheaper and safer before it turns into an emergency.
Remove dead or dying trees before they fall. A dead tree is coming down eventually. Taking it out on your schedule costs less and is safer than dealing with it after it crashes onto something.
Watch for warning signs. Leaning trunks, mushrooms at the base, large cavities, cracks in major limbs, and roots lifting out of the soil are all signs a tree could fail in the next storm. If you see any of these, call for a professional evaluation.
Know your trees. Some species fail more often than others in Georgia. Bradford pears split at the crotch. Water oaks develop internal decay as they age. Loblolly pines snap in high winds. Knowing what is in your yard helps you decide where to spend your maintenance budget.
Inspect after every storm. Walk your property and look up. Cracked branches, hanging limbs, and partially uprooted trees may not fall right away, but they can come down on a calm Tuesday afternoon three weeks later.
After the Tree Is Gone: Next Steps
- Get the stump ground. The stump stays behind after removal. Stump grinding runs $100 to $400 depending on size and is cheaper if you bundle it with the removal.
- Repair structural damage. Work with your insurance adjuster and a licensed contractor for any roof, siding, or fence repairs.
- Inspect the other trees. A storm that took down one tree may have cracked or loosened others nearby. Have a professional check for new damage.
- Plan ahead. Schedule tree trimming for any trees that showed signs of stress. Addressing weak points now prevents the next emergency call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage tree removal?
Yes, if the tree hit a covered structure like your house, garage, shed, or fence. Most Georgia homeowners policies cover removal of the tree and repair of the damage, minus your deductible. If the tree fell in the yard and missed everything, coverage is usually limited to $500 to $1,000 per tree, and some policies do not cover it at all. File your claim quickly and keep all receipts.
How long does emergency tree removal take after a storm?
The removal itself takes 3 to 8 hours depending on tree size and how it landed. Wait times for a crew to arrive are the bigger factor. After major storms, every tree service in Metro Atlanta is running full out. Expect 1 to 5 days for a crew to reach you. We prioritize trees on structures and near power lines first.
Can I remove a storm-damaged tree myself?
Small branches on the ground are fine to clear yourself. Do not attempt to cut or move any large tree, any tree near power lines, or any tree resting on a structure. Storm-damaged trees are under unpredictable tension. A branch or trunk under compression can snap and swing in directions you do not expect. That is how serious injuries happen. Call a licensed, insured crew.
What if a neighbor’s tree falls on my property during a storm?
In Georgia, your own homeowners insurance generally covers damage to your property, even if the tree came from your neighbor’s yard. File a claim with your insurer. Your neighbor may share responsibility only if there is evidence they knew the tree was dead or hazardous and ignored it. Document where the tree was rooted and photograph everything.
How do I find a legitimate tree service after a storm?
Look for a company that is licensed, insured, and established in your area. Ask for proof of insurance and a written estimate. Avoid anyone who shows up uninvited the day after a storm, demands cash upfront, or refuses to put the price in writing. Check Google reviews and ask your neighbors for recommendations.
Call for Emergency Storm Damage Removal
If a storm just put a tree on your house, across your driveway, or into your power lines, call us. All In Tree Services and Pro provides 24/7 emergency tree removal across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. We are licensed, insured, and family-owned. Serving Georgia since 2020.
Call (470) 608-2545 for immediate response, or contact us to schedule an assessment.