A severe storm just rolled through the southwest Chicago suburbs and your tree took the hit. Here's exactly what to do next — in order — to keep your family safe and get the damage handled. If you need help right now, our emergency storm service is ready to respond.
Storms in the Chicago suburbs don't give much warning, and the damage they leave behind ranges from a few downed limbs to a tree through the roof. Whatever you're looking at, the steps below apply.
Step 1: Stay Away and Assess From a Distance
Do not walk under a damaged tree to "take a closer look." Storm-damaged trees are unpredictable — cracked trunks can fail, hung-up limbs can drop, and partially fallen trees can shift. Assess the damage from a safe distance first.
Check for these immediate dangers:
- Downed power lines. If a tree or limb is touching a line, or a line is on the ground, stay far away and call your utility company immediately. Never touch the tree.
- A tree on your house or car. Don't try to move it.
- A new or worsening lean. The root system may be compromised.
- Large hanging branches. These can fall without warning.
Step 2: Call Your Utility Company If Lines Are Involved
If power lines are down or a tree is in contact with them, the utility company comes first. Only after they've cleared the lines should a tree crew do the removal work.
Step 3: Call a Professional Tree Service
For everything else — a tree on the roof, a blocked driveway, split trunks, major limb loss — call a tree company. Ask for proof of insurance and licensing, and get everything in writing. If you need emergency storm help in the southwest Chicago suburbs, call (708) 665-4874 — and ask what their emergency process is and how quickly they can get on site.
Do not attempt storm cleanup yourself. Storm-damaged trees kill and injure homeowners every year. A chainsaw and a ladder are not the right tools for a tree under tension or a trunk that's partially failed. Ask any company you hire about the equipment they'll use, and get it in the written quote.
Trees Uprooted by a Storm
When a storm fully or partly uproots a tree — the root plate lifting out of the ground or the whole tree leaning hard — keep everyone away from it. A leaning tree is under enormous tension, and cutting into one yourself is one of the most dangerous things a homeowner can do. A small, young tree that has only shifted can sometimes be straightened and re-staked, but a mature tree that's been uprooted usually can't recover — it has to come out. Call a professional to assess it and handle it safely.
Document the Damage Before Cleanup
Before any cleanup work starts, take photos and video of the tree and everything it damaged — from a safe distance. Your homeowner's insurance will want to see the scene the way the storm left it. Keep the written estimate and the final invoice too; you'll need them if you file a claim.
Step 4: Document the Damage for Insurance
Before cleanup begins, take photos and video of the damage from a safe position — the tree, what it hit, and the surrounding area. Most homeowners insurance policies cover tree removal when a tree damages a covered structure, and they may cover debris removal too. Save your invoice and receipts; you'll need them for the claim.
A few things to know:
- Insurance typically covers removal when the tree damaged your home, garage, or fence — not always when a tree simply falls in the yard.
- Take photos before anything is moved, if it's safe to do so.
- Keep receipts for any emergency work.
Step 5: Get the Cleanup Done Right
A professional crew will remove the immediate hazard first — the tree off the roof, the driveway cleared — then handle the full cleanup. Ask what's included: reputable tree services put cleanup and hauling in the written quote.
Step 6: Have Your Remaining Trees Checked
Storms stress every tree on your property, not just the ones that failed. Cracked limbs, loosened root plates, and structural damage aren't always obvious. After a major storm, it's worth having your remaining trees inspected — catching damage early prevents the next emergency.
This is also the right time to think about prevention. Trees that were already weak — dead limbs, poor structure, root damage from nearby construction — are the ones that fail first. A post-storm inspection often reveals which trees need pruning or removal before the next round of severe weather.
Hidden Storm Damage
Not all storm damage is obvious from the ground. Watch for these problems — they can make a tree dangerous weeks or months after the storm:
- Hanging broken limbs caught in the canopy. They can drop without warning.
- Split trunks. A crack running down the trunk weakens the whole tree.
- A lifted root plate. Soil heaved up on one side of the base means the roots have let go.
- A new lean toward the house. Even a slight change is a warning sign.
- Cracks in the soil around the base. Shifting ground means the roots are moving.
If you spot any of these, have the tree inspected before the next storm puts it to the test.
Storm-Damaged Tree FAQs
Can a storm-damaged tree be saved?
Sometimes. It depends on how much of the canopy and root system was lost — a tree missing a few limbs can often recover with proper pruning, but one with a split trunk or major root damage usually can't. An on-site look is the only way to know for sure.
How fast should a damaged tree be dealt with?
Hanging limbs and trees resting on a house, car, or power lines are emergencies — call for emergency storm service right away. Less urgent damage can usually wait a few days for an inspection, but don't put it off: damaged trees don't stabilize on their own.
After the Storm, Act Fast
Damaged trees don't stabilize on their own. The next wind event can finish what the storm started. If you're dealing with storm damage right now, don't wait.
Call The Best Tree Guys at (708) 665-4874 if you need emergency storm help in the southwest Chicago suburbs. Ask what's included in the written quote — including cleanup and hauling — and get everything in writing.