If a tree falls on your house, your first priority is getting everyone out safely — do not stay inside to assess damage. Once you’re out and away from the structure, call 911 if anyone is injured or trapped, then contact an emergency tree removal service to secure the property.
Get Out and Stay Out
A tree on your roof changes the structural load of the entire home. What looks stable from the outside may not be. Ceilings can sag, walls can shift, and secondary collapse can happen without warning — especially if the tree is still moving or the roof is wet.
Take your family, your pets, and any medications you need. Leave everything else. You can retrieve belongings once a professional has assessed whether the building is safe to enter.
If you smell gas after the tree falls, don’t go back in for any reason. Call your gas utility from outside and let them handle the shutoff. The same applies to any sparking or burning smell — get clear and call 911.
Who to Call and in What Order
Once everyone is safe, work through this in order:
- 911 — if there are injuries, a gas leak, or downed power lines involved
- Your utility company — if the tree hit or is near electrical lines
- An emergency tree service — to remove the tree and prevent further structural damage
- Your insurance company — to open a claim and document the damage
Don’t wait on the insurance call. Many Alabama homeowner’s policies cover emergency tree removal when the tree has caused direct structural damage, but they often want to be notified quickly. Take photos of everything before any work begins — the tree, the roof, the interior damage, and the surrounding area.
Why the Tree Needs to Come Off Quickly
Every hour a tree sits on a roof, the damage compounds. The weight stresses rafters and joists. Rain gets in through any opening and soaks insulation, drywall, and flooring. If the tree is still partially attached to the stump, wind can shift it further and widen the breach.
Emergency tree removal in this situation isn’t just about clearing debris — it’s about stopping ongoing damage. A crew experienced in storm work knows how to remove a tree from a structure without making things worse. That requires controlled cuts, careful rigging, and an understanding of how the weight is distributed across your roof.
This is not a DIY situation. Cutting the wrong section first can cause the tree to shift suddenly or drop more weight onto an already stressed structure.
After the Tree Is Removed
Once the tree is off the house, you’ll still need a roofing contractor to assess and repair the damage. A tree service can typically place a protective tarp over the opening after removal to keep weather out until repairs begin.
It’s also worth having nearby trees inspected. In Alabama, a storm strong enough to drop one tree on a house often leaves others on the property weakened or uprooted at the base — problems that aren’t always visible from the ground.
If a tree has come down on your home in the Huntsville area, a local tree removal company can respond quickly, remove the tree safely, and help you take the right next steps to protect your property.