After the Storm: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Eastern Shore storms — nor'easters, summer thunderstorms, and the occasional tropical system — can bring the kind of wind and rain that puts trees on roofs, across driveways, and through fences. If that's happened to you, here's exactly what to do in the first 24 hours.
Step 1: Stay Away from the Damage
Do not go near a fallen tree until you have confirmed there are no downed power lines in contact with it or nearby. If there are any wires involved, call your utility company (Delmarva Power: 1-800-375-7117) and stay at least 30 feet away until they clear it. A tree energized by a downed power line can kill.
Step 2: Document Before Anything Is Moved
Take photos and video of all damage before any cleanup begins. Walk the perimeter. Document contact points with structures. This is your insurance record — do it while everything is still in place.
Step 3: Contain What You Can Safely Contain
If there are broken limbs hanging but not fallen — "hangers" or "widow-makers" — do not try to knock them down yourself. They can weigh hundreds of pounds and fall unpredictably. Keep people and vehicles clear until a professional can remove them safely.
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company
Most homeowner's policies cover tree damage to structures (house, fence, garage, deck). Tree cleanup from your lawn without structural damage is typically not covered, but tree removal from a structure usually is. Call your agent and ask before signing anything.
Step 5: Call Bayside Tree and Landscape
We maintain emergency response capacity specifically for Talbot and Queen Anne's County storm events. For active hazards — limbs on structures, blocked driveways, dangerous hangers — we prioritize those calls. Call 443-988-5225. We'll tell you honestly how fast we can get there and what we can do.
What Not to Do
- Don't use a chainsaw on a tree that's under tension or on a structure — it can kick back violently as the tension releases
- Don't climb on your roof to evaluate damage while a tree is still in contact with it
- Don't accept a quote from a door-to-door contractor immediately after a storm — "storm chasers" often overcharge significantly
