Storm Tree Damage in Franklin: What to Do in the First 24 Hours

Published 2026-05-19 · Tree Franklin TN

A Franklin storm just knocked a tree onto your roof, driveway, or yard. Here is exactly what to do in the next 24 hours, in order, from local arborists who have worked the cleanup after every major Middle Tennessee storm of the last decade.

Step 1: Get everyone out of the affected area

Do not stay under a leaning tree to take photos. Do not stand near a fallen tree that is still tangled in power lines. Move everyone, including pets, to a safe distance, even if the tree looks settled. Trees can shift suddenly as the ground softens or as wind picks up again.

Step 2: Call 911 if power lines are involved

Live wires on a fallen tree are a fatal hazard. Do not touch anything wood or metal that contacts the tree. Call 911 first, then your power company (Middle Tennessee Electric or NES depending on your address). Do not attempt removal until the utility crew arrives and clears the line.

Step 3: Document everything for insurance

Before any cleanup starts, take photos from multiple angles: the tree, the damage to your house or car, the surrounding area. Capture timestamps. If a fence, shed, or landscaping is damaged, photograph that too. Your homeowners insurance will need this documentation, and a thorough record speeds up the claim.

Step 4: Call your insurance carrier

Most Tennessee homeowners policies cover tree removal when the tree damages a structure (house, garage, fence). Removal of a tree that fell in the yard but did not hit anything is usually not covered. Call the carrier early; they can recommend approved contractors and start the claim while damage is fresh.

Step 5: Call a licensed, insured tree service

This is where Franklin homeowners get scammed. After every major storm, unlicensed crews drive door to door offering cheap removal. They have no insurance, often do unsafe work, and may damage your property further. Always check the contractor through the Tennessee Secretary of State and ask for a current insurance certificate before they start a chainsaw.

What NOT to do

Do not try to cut a leaning tree yourself, even with a chainsaw. Tension in the wood can snap a chainsaw bar back at you with lethal force. Do not climb onto a roof with a fallen tree on it. Do not move debris until photos are done and your insurance has a record.

How fast can we respond?

For emergency tree removal in Franklin, Brentwood, and the surrounding Williamson County areas, our crews are usually on site within four hours during business hours. Overnight emergencies get same-day or next-morning response. Insurance documentation is included.