If a tree has fallen on your house, get everyone out of the damaged area, stay off the roof and call emergency services if anyone is hurt or there is any sign of fire, gas or downed power lines. After that, document what you can from the ground, arrange temporary protection through a professional, and read your policy or call your agent.
What do I do in the first few minutes?
Safety comes before the roof. Work through these in order:
- Check on everyone. Account for people and pets. Move them to a part of the house away from the damage.
- Call emergency services if needed. That means an injury, a fire, a smell of gas, sparks, or a tree tangled in power lines. Treat any downed or sagging line as live and stay well back.
- Leave a damaged room alone. If ceilings are sagging, rafters are cracked or you hear creaking, leave the area. Structures that look steady can shift.
- Do not go on the roof. A tree-damaged roof can have broken framing, loose limbs, wet surfaces and hidden holes. It is not a place for an untrained person.
- Do not cut or pull the tree off yourself. The weight may be holding damaged framing in place, and moving it can drop it into the house. Removal is work for a tree service and a roofer working together.
- Shut off utilities if you can do so safely. If water lines or electrical service look damaged, ask the utility or a professional how to proceed.
What should I document?
Once everyone is safe and the area is stable, take photos and short videos from the ground. Include:
- The whole tree, where it came from and where it landed
- The roof edge, gutters, siding, fences and anything else it touched
- Any visible damage inside, such as ceiling stains, sagging or water
- Cars, outbuildings or other property it hit
Add the date and time, and write down what you saw and when the storm hit. Do not move the tree or damaged material until you have photos if it is safe to wait. You are building a record. You are not trying to prove anything to anyone yet.
Who should I call, and in what order?
| Who | Why | When |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency services | Injuries, fire, gas, live power lines | Immediately, if any of those exist |
| Utility company | Downed lines or damaged service | Right away, if lines are involved |
| Your insurance agent or company | Ask how your policy treats this kind of loss and what the next steps are | As soon as it is safe |
| A roofer | Temporary protection and an inspection | Soon, especially if rain is coming |
| A tree service | Safe removal of the tree | Usually after the roof is protected, coordinated with the roofer |
How does temporary protection work?
If the roof is open or damaged and weather is coming, a roofer can install temporary protection, typically a tarp, so more water does not get into the house. A good temporary cover is professional work done by crews with the right fall protection. Our owner, Jeremy Hays, says he prefers not to tarp big, steep roofs because of the heights, which is a good reminder of why this is not a homeowner job. See our page on the emergency roof tarp for what a solid job looks like and why it is temporary.
What about insurance?
Policies differ, so read yours and ask your agent. This page is general education, not claim advice, and we cannot tell you whether to file or what a policy will cover. Questions worth putting to your agent include how your policy treats wind and falling-object damage, what documentation is expected and what your deductible is.
One general point from our owner is worth knowing. A limb that cracks in the yard and does not strike a covered item is generally not the kind of event people call in. The situation is very different when a tree lands on the house. A tree on a roof deserves a conversation with your agent, because policies treat falling trees differently depending on what they hit. That is a general consideration and not advice, so check your own policy language. For a broader look, see should I file a claim for roof damage.
What happens after the roof is protected?
The roof needs a full inspection, because impact can crack rafters, break the deck or tear flashing in ways that do not show from the ground. Our roof inspection page explains what a roofer looks at.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in the house after a tree hits the roof? Only if the structure is stable and there are no hazards. If you see sagging ceilings, hear creaking or smell gas, leave and call emergency services. When in doubt, go outside and get a professional opinion.
Should I remove the tree myself? No. The weight can be supporting damaged framing, and cutting it can shift it suddenly. Use a licensed, insured tree service, ideally coordinated with the roofer.
What if the tree did not hit my house? If it fell in the yard or on a fence, the damage is a separate matter from the roof. Look at the roof from the ground for any shingles knocked loose by flying limbs.
Do I need a roofer before I call my agent? Either order works. Protecting the home from more water comes first, and your agent can explain what your policy expects.
How long does temporary protection last? It is meant to hold only until a permanent repair is made. A tarp is not a roof.
Talk to us about your roof
If a tree has hit your home, Total Roof Protection OKC can inspect your roof and explain what we see. Call 405-415-5841 to schedule an inspection. An inspection tells you about the roof. It does not predict or replace your insurer's decision. See our services.