In the Portland and Lake Oswego areas, storms are a normal part of life. Snow, rain, and wind can disrupt our lives while occasionally knocking down trees. When they do, however, the safest thing you can do is call a professional tree care service. That’s why Westcoast Tree Care would like to provide you with the following steps you should take if a tree falls on your property or home.
Safety First
If the area around a fallen tree is commonly used, it’s important to avoid it at all costs to limit the risk of someone getting hurt or injured by the hazardous tree. Block or rope off the area to prevent a terrible and even life-threatening situation from occurring. You may also want to block any doors on the inside of your home to deter anyone from forgetting and using damaged exits.
Check the Power Lines
From a safe distance, carefully observe any affected power lines. If a fallen tree is touching or leaning against power lines, you will want to contact Portland General Electric at (503) 464-777 or 1-800-544-1795 as soon as possible.
Contact A Tree Care Professional
If your home or property has already been damaged by a fallen tree or limb, it’s important to seek the professional help of a certified arborist immediately. A tree care professional can secure the damaged area to prevent further damage from occurring. After careful planning and analysis, they will utilize their expertise, experience, and equipment to safely remove a hazardous tree or limbs to prevent further damage to your home or property.
Once the site has been secured, it’s important to determine the extent to which your home or property has been damaged. Make sure to take photos of the damage and keep the receipts of anything you purchase, including supplies and services to handle an emergency situation. You will eventually use this information when making a claim to your insurance company.
Contact Your Insurance Company
When a fallen tree damages your property, you’ll want to contact your insurance company and open a claim. There is no reason to avoid doing this as most insurance policies are not affected by this type of claim. Make sure to get the following information when you contact your insurance company:
- Claim number
- Your adjuster’s name, phone number, and email
Keep in mind that there is usually a good chance you won’t have to pay for any expensive tree care work. The parties who end up paying for the majority of the work will be your insurance company or your neighbor’s insurance company.
Preventative Tree Care
Don’t take unnecessary risks. While trees are a lovely addition to your Oregon home, it’s best to be proactive when it comes to addressing any potential safety concerns by keeping your trees properly pruned and cared for. Preventative tree care will not only prolong the life of a tree but prevent unwanted property damage down the road.
At Westcoast Tree Care, our certified arborist is experienced in safely removing fallen branches and trees from a variety of precarious situations. You can trust us to remove any hazardous threats safely to minimize any potential damage to your property while keeping you and your family safe.
Contact us at 1.800.767.8733. Our certified arborist will evaluate your trees and assess any potential hazards with a no-cost, no-obligation quote.
