Immediate Steps After Storm Damage
⚠️ 1. Safety First
- • Stay away from downed power lines—assume ALL are live
- • Do not enter damaged structures until assessed
- • Watch for gas leaks (smell of gas = evacuate immediately)
- • Be cautious of weakened trees that could still fall
📸 2. Document Everything
- • Take extensive photos and video before any cleanup
- • Document damage from multiple angles
- • Include wide shots showing context
- • Photograph damaged items and debris
- • Note date, time, and weather conditions
📞 3. Contact Your Insurance
- • Report the claim as soon as possible
- • Get a claim number
- • Ask about coverage for tree removal and debris clearing
- • Understand what's covered vs. out-of-pocket
🛠️ 4. Prevent Further Damage
- • Cover roof openings with tarps if safe to do so
- • Board up broken windows
- • Remove salvageable items from damaged areas
- • Keep receipts for all emergency materials
Types of Storm Damage We Clear
🌪️ Tornado Damage
Tornadoes leave scattered debris across wide areas—uprooted trees, damaged structures, and debris from multiple sources mixed together.
Our approach: Systematic clearing from access points outward, debris sorting, and complete site cleanup.
⛈️ Severe Thunderstorms
High winds and microbursts topple trees, often onto homes, vehicles, and power lines. May cause widespread tree damage across properties.
Our approach: Priority removal from structures and driveways, then comprehensive cleanup of remaining debris.
🌀 Hurricane/Tropical Storms
Extended winds cause massive tree failures, flooding debris accumulation, and widespread vegetation damage across large areas.
Our approach: Large-scale clearing operations withforestry mulching equipment for maximum efficiency.
🧊 Ice Storms
Ice accumulation causes branch and tree failures, especially in species not adapted to ice loading. Can affect large areas simultaneously.
Our approach: Careful removal of hanging branches, hazard tree assessment, and debris clearing.
Our Emergency Storm Services
| Service | Response Time | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tree on structure removal | Same day / 4-8 hours | $1,500-$5,000+ |
| Emergency driveway clearing | Same day / 4-8 hours | $500-$2,000 |
| Hazard tree removal | 24-48 hours | $800-$3,000 |
| Full property debris clearing | 1-3 days | $3,000-$8,000/acre |
| Commercial/large-scale cleanup | Scheduled | Custom quote |
About Emergency Pricing
Emergency response typically carries a 25-50% premium over standard rates due to immediate response requirements, after-hours work, and priority scheduling. However, getting trees off structures quickly prevents additional damage that often exceeds the emergency premium.
Working With Insurance
Understanding what your insurance covers can save you thousands. Here is what most Texas homeowner policies include:
✓ Usually Covered
- • Tree removal when tree damages covered structure
- • Tree removal when tree blocks driveway
- • Structural repairs from tree damage
- • Emergency tarping and securing
- • Debris removal from covered structures
✗ Often NOT Covered
- • Trees that fall but cause no damage
- • Landscape repair and replanting
- • Stump grinding/removal
- • Clearing undeveloped land
- • Pre-existing tree hazards
Tips for Successful Claims
Document before ANY cleanup. Even moving branches can affect your claim. Take photos first.
Get multiple estimates. Insurance will pay reasonable costs, but having quotes helps establish fair pricing.
Keep all receipts. Emergency materials, temporary repairs, and clearing costs should all be documented.
Ask about "debris removal" coverage. Many policies have specific debris removal limits separate from other coverage.
What to Expect from Emergency Clearing
Initial Assessment
We assess damage, identify hazards, and determine equipment needs. For emergency calls, this is done quickly by phone/text with photos.
Priority Removal
Trees on structures, blocking roads, or creating immediate hazards are addressed first. Careful techniques prevent additional damage.
Debris Processing
Debris is either mulched on-site (if appropriate), stacked for burning (rural areas with permits), or loaded for hauling to disposal facilities.
Site Cleanup
Final cleanup of small debris, rake work as needed, and assessment of any remaining hazard trees for future attention.