Emergency Tree Service: What to Do After a Storm in Savannah

When a major storm hits Savannah, the immediate aftermath is chaotic and the decisions you make in the first three days affect everything from your insurance claim to whether you get safe, qualified tree work done at a fair price. This is the order of operations we recommend to every customer who calls in after a storm.

Step one is safety. Before you set foot in your yard, look up. Hanging limbs, called widow-makers, are the leading cause of injuries during post-storm cleanup. Do not walk under any tree with visibly damaged limbs overhead. Look around. Downed power lines are deadly and they can energize fences, puddles, and metal objects. Assume every downed line is live and stay back at least thirty-five feet. Report downed lines to Georgia Power immediately at the number on your bill or to 911 if there is immediate danger.

Step two is structural assessment of your home. Check the roof from the ground for tree contact, visible damage, or new gaps. Check the perimeter for trees that may have shifted at the root plate. Look for foundation damage if a large tree fell nearby. If a tree is on your home, do not attempt to remove it yourself. The tree is often the only thing holding the damaged structure together, and uncontrolled removal can collapse what is left of the roof.

Step three is documentation. Before you move anything, photograph everything. Take wide shots that show context, then close shots of damage to structures and trees. Include date and time stamps when possible. Photograph the inside of your home if there is water intrusion. Get photos before tarping, before any tree work, before any debris is moved. Insurance adjusters operate on documentation, and good photos can be the difference between full coverage and a denied claim.

Step four is contacting your insurance carrier. Most homeowner policies have a claim hotline that operates twenty-four hours during major weather events. File the claim early. You will get a claim number and usually an adjuster assignment within a day or two. Ask specifically what is covered: removal of trees from structures, removal of trees that have fallen but missed structures, repair of damaged systems, alternative housing if needed. Coverage varies significantly between policies.

Step five is tarping and temporary protection. If your roof is breached, get a tarp on as soon as it is safe to do so. Most reputable tree services and many general contractors offer emergency tarping. A properly installed tarp can be the difference between minor water damage and a destroyed ceiling and floor.

Step six is selecting a tree service. This is where homeowners make the most expensive mistakes. After a major storm, the Savannah market floods with out-of-state crews, often called storm chasers, who follow hurricanes from state to state. Some are legitimate, many are not. The warning signs are aggressive door-to-door sales, demands for large upfront payments, refusal to provide written estimates, no Georgia business license, no insurance certificates available on request, and high-pressure tactics.

What to ask before hiring. Are you ISA Certified Arborists. Can you provide a Georgia business license number. Can you have your insurance carrier email me a current certificate of insurance directly. Will you provide a written scope of work and price before starting. How will you handle debris removal. Are you available for the insurance documentation we may need. A legitimate contractor answers all of these without hesitation.

Pricing after a storm is higher than normal and that is reasonable. Crews are working overtime, equipment is in heavy use, and disposal sites charge premium rates after major events. Expect emergency pricing to run roughly fifty to one hundred percent above normal rates. What is not reasonable is open-ended pricing, refusal to provide a written estimate, or demands to pay cash before the work begins. Never pay in full upfront, regardless of circumstance.

Insurance interaction. Most policies do not require homeowners to use a specific contractor, but the carrier may have preferred vendors who can speed the process. Your contractor should be willing to work directly with your adjuster, provide documentation, and coordinate the scope. If a contractor refuses to coordinate with insurance, that is a red flag.

Avoid common mistakes. Do not sign anything other than a written estimate and a work authorization with clear scope and price. Do not sign over your insurance claim to a contractor unless you fully understand assignment of benefits agreements, which can become legally complex. Do not let urgency push you into decisions you would not make in normal circumstances. Most non-life-safety tree work can wait a day or two while you make calls and compare options.

Take care of yourself during cleanup. Post-storm work in Savannah summer heat is exhausting. Hydrate constantly, take frequent breaks, and recognize the warning signs of heat illness. The cleanup is not worth a hospital visit.

The storms will keep coming. Knowing the order of operations before the next one keeps you safer and saves you money.