Handling Tree Emergencies During Atlanta Storms

Storms in Atlanta Ga are no joke. Trees in this city are continually being beaten up by severe weather, and in many cases, they fall.

When a tree falls, there is always the potential for catastrophic damages. Situations involving a fallen tree need to be handled immediately to avoid further loss.

In this article, we address how to handle situations in which a tree has fallen on power lines, on a house, or on a car in the City of Atlanta.

Emergency Tree Removal – A Tree Fell Through My House

One of the most significant nightmare scenarios for any homeowner is a tree falling on or through the home. The damages can be catastrophic and potentially life-threatening.

When something like this happens during a storm, the following will get you on your way to getting things back to normal:

• Locate your family and pets and get them to a safe location.
• Call 9-1-1 and follow any instructions the emergency operator may give you.
• Turn off the water main and cut off the electricity (this will stop broken pipes from flooding the home and eliminate the risk of electrocution or a short from setting the house on fire).
• Contact your homeowner’s insurance provider and follow all instructions they may give you.
• Contact a 24 Hour Emergency Tree Removal Service like fasttreeremovalatlanta.com to get the tree removed.

• Ensure that damages to the roof are covered up until the storm subsides to prevent further flooding.
• Contact a 24 Hour Emergency Water Removal Company to begin the cleanup process.
• Contact a roofing company to get the roof fixed.

For insurance purposes and documentation, take pictures of the tree and all physical damages to your property, including the water inside.

To get things back in order, have a certified plumber perform a thorough inspection of the structure’s entire plumbing system. When a tree crashes into a home, it can be affected in its entirety.

Note: The suggestions above are based on hypothetical emergency priorities. Be aware of any regulations or requirements of your insurance policy and provider. Avoid any action(s) considered to be in violation of and potentially voiding your insurance policy.

Tree Fell On or Through Power Lines

When a tree is in contact with power lines in any way, do not make contact with it and keep your distance. Trees can be energized by power lines and will likely electrocute you when you make contact.

Report any tree on public or private property which has fallen into or through power lines by visiting Georgia Power and starting a live chat, or by calling (888) 891-0938 – press option #3 for a dangerous condition.

Watch this video to see how violently power lines interact with trees.

If a tree brings power lines down onto your vehicle while you are in it, DO NOT exit your car or try to move the lines. Use your cell phone to call 9-1-1 for help and wait for assistance.

A Tree Fell On My Car

When a tree falls during a storm, it can’t pick and choose where it wants to land. If one should fall on your car, here’s how to handle it:

• Call 9-1-1 and follow any instructions the emergency operator may give you.
• Contact your auto insurance provider. Make sure you document what happened, the time, weather conditions, and all property within the vehicle that was damaged or lost.
• Unless your insurance provider or emergency services has instructed you to do otherwise, contact an emergency tree removal company to remove the tree.

Your insurance policy should address what is known as “Force Majeure” that’s French for an “act of God.” This clause removes liability for natural or unavoidable occurrences (like severe weather) that result in damages or loss of property. Your insurance policy will further define the coverage and limitations of this clause.

Document everything. In the event you are not happy with the settlement amount proposed by your insurance company, you will have the proof necessary to avail a public adjuster like insurancepublicadjustersofgeorgia.com that will advocate on your behalf for a greater amount.

Note: You must have a policy with comprehensive insurance coverage before the incident occurs for your claim to be covered and settled. Without comprehensive coverage, it is likely that all expenses for repair or replacement of your vehicle will be an out-of-pocket expense. Also, most auto insurance policies with comprehensive coverage will get you into a rental right away.

Severe Weather and Trees

During storms with high winds or multiple storms over a short period of time, the ground can quickly become saturated and destabilize trees. During storms in Atlanta, it is common to see trees fall and just by knowing what to do when they come down is the key to getting things back to normal.

With the above information, you should be prepared to handle a tree falling on power lines, on your car, or on your home.

When a tree falls during a severe weather event, take action! Do not take anything for granted, trees can weigh thousands of pounds and cause life-threatening damages when they come down. Delays will only increase damages and the cost to repair them.