What Should I Do If a Tree Falls on My House During a Storm? Wichita Emergency Guide

The sound is unmistakable—a thunderous crash that sends your heart racing. When severe weather strikes Wichita and a tree comes down on your home, those first few minutes are critical. Whether it's a tornado, straight-line winds, or an ice storm, knowing exactly what to do can protect your family and minimize property damage.

Ensure Everyone's Safety First: Your immediate priority is accounting for all family members and pets. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move anyone who may have serious injuries unless there's immediate danger like fire or gas leaks.

Evacuate if Necessary: If the tree has caused structural damage to load-bearing walls, the roof, or created openings that compromise the home's integrity, evacuate immediately. Signs include sagging ceilings, cracked walls, broken support beams, or the house making unusual creaking or settling sounds.

Check for Utilities Hazards: Look for downed power lines, gas leaks (you'll smell gas), or water line breaks. If you suspect any utility damage, shut off the main power, gas, and water if it's safe to do so. Never touch downed power lines or attempt electrical repairs yourself. In Wichita, contact Evergy immediately for electrical emergencies at their 24-hour line.

Document Everything Immediately: Use your phone to take extensive photos and videos of the damage from multiple angles. This documentation is crucial for insurance claims and will help when you need emergency tree removal services to assess the situation.

Weather Protection: Kansas storms often come in waves, and additional weather may be approaching. If the tree has created openings in your roof or walls, use tarps, plastic sheeting, or plywood to cover exposed areas. This prevents additional water damage and shows insurance companies you took reasonable steps to mitigate further loss.

Protect Undamaged Areas: Move valuable items away from damaged areas where water or debris might cause additional harm. This is especially important if the tree has compromised your roof, as rain damage can quickly spread to undamaged rooms.

Secure the Perimeter: Keep family members and neighbors away from the damaged area. Trees under stress can shift unexpectedly, and additional branches may fall. The tree that's already down may still be under tension and could move without warning.

When to Call 911: Call immediately if there are injuries, gas leaks, electrical hazards, or if the tree is blocking emergency access roads. In Wichita, emergency services are experienced with storm damage and can help coordinate utility company responses.

Contact Your Insurance Company: Most insurance policies require prompt notification of claims. Call your insurance company's 24-hour claims line as soon as it's safe to do so. Many companies have expedited processes for storm-related claims, especially after widespread events affecting the Wichita metro area.

Understand Your Coverage: Most homeowner's insurance policies cover tree removal when the tree damages a covered structure like your house, garage, or fence. However, if a tree falls but doesn't damage any structures, removal typically isn't covered. Understanding typical tree removal costs in Wichita can help you prepare for potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Removal: If the tree poses ongoing safety risks—such as additional large branches hanging over your home or the trunk being unstable—this qualifies as emergency removal. However, if the tree is down and stable, you may be able to wait for regular business hours, which can significantly reduce costs.

Working with Insurance Adjusters: Don't authorize any tree removal work until you've spoken with your insurance adjuster, unless there's an immediate safety threat. Insurance companies often have preferred vendors or specific requirements for documentation. Get multiple quotes when possible, as various factors affect tree removal pricing , especially in emergency situations.

Choosing Emergency Tree Services: In storm situations, many out-of-state contractors may canvas Wichita neighborhoods. Stick with local, licensed, and insured tree services when possible. They'll be familiar with local regulations, have established relationships with insurance companies, and will be available for any follow-up work needed.

Power Line Considerations: If the tree has brought down power lines or is in contact with electrical wires, only Evergy personnel should handle the electrical components. Tree removal companies cannot work around live wires, so utility companies must clear electrical hazards first.

Service Restoration Priorities: Utility companies prioritize repairs that restore service to the most customers first. If your home is the only one affected on your street, you may wait longer for restoration than areas where multiple customers are out of service.

Temporary Power Solutions: If your electrical service entrance is damaged, you may need an electrician to install a temporary power panel before service can be restored, even after the tree is removed.

Ice Storm Complications: Kansas ice storms create unique challenges because trees may be partially supported by ice, making them unpredictable as temperatures rise. Never attempt to remove ice-covered branches yourself—the weight distribution can change suddenly as ice melts.

Tornado Damage Assessment: Trees damaged by tornadoes often have hidden structural damage that isn't immediately apparent. What looks like a simple fallen tree might have root system damage or internal splitting that makes removal more complex and dangerous.

Straight-Line Wind Damage: These storms can create domino effects where one falling tree damages others. Professional assessment is crucial to identify which trees are still at risk of falling after the initial storm passes.

Temporary Housing Considerations: If your home is uninhabitable, most insurance policies include additional living expenses (ALE) coverage. Keep receipts for hotel stays, meals, and other expenses. Many Wichita-area hotels offer special rates for storm victims.

Contractor Coordination: Tree removal often needs to be coordinated with other repairs. Roofers, siding contractors, and electricians may all need access to the same areas. Your insurance adjuster can help coordinate the sequence of repairs for maximum efficiency.

Landscape Recovery: Consider the long-term impact on your property's landscaping. A mature tree that took decades to grow may have provided significant shade, privacy, or wind protection. Planning replacement landscaping early can help restore your property's value and function.

Once you've dealt with the immediate crisis, consider steps to prevent future incidents:

Professional Tree Assessment: Have a certified arborist evaluate your remaining trees, especially those near your home. Look for signs that indicate when trees become dangerous before the next storm season.

Proactive Pruning: Regular maintenance can reduce wind resistance and remove potentially problematic branches before they become hazards during storms.

Strategic Tree Replacement: When replanting, consider species that are more wind-resistant and appropriate for Wichita's climate. Avoid planting large trees too close to your home or power lines.

Major storm events often affect entire neighborhoods in Wichita. Consider coordinating with neighbors for debris removal services, which can sometimes reduce costs through volume pricing. Many tree service companies offer neighborhood discounts when multiple properties need work.

Stay informed about city services for storm debris pickup. The City of Wichita often provides emergency debris collection services after major storms, though they typically only handle smaller branches and yard waste, not large tree removal.

Ready to get your storm damage tree removal project started? Find one of our trusted Wichita tree removal professionals for emergency assessment and removal services. All of our featured companies are licensed, insured, and known for quality work.