Storm damage · Jonesboro, AR
Emergency Tree Service in Jonesboro, AR
A tree on the roof, a split trunk leaning toward the house, or limbs blocking the driveway after a storm? Make everyone safe first, then send a request to reach a local crew that handles storm damage.
Requests go to independent local tree service providers. Tree Service Jonesboro is a free referral service.
If anyone is hurt or trapped, or a power line is down, call 911 now. Stay well away from downed lines and anything touching them, including the tree, a fence or standing water. Assume every line is live.
Tree fell on your house? Do this first
- Get everyone outLeave the rooms under the damaged part of the roof. A tree can shift or the ceiling can drop.
- Stay clear of linesCall 911 for downed lines and report them to your electric utility. Don’t touch the tree.
- Shut off what’s damagedIf it’s safe, turn off gas at the meter if you smell gas, and water if a pipe has broken.
- Photograph everythingWide shots and close-ups of the tree, roof, inside damage, cars and fences, before anything is moved.
- Call your insurerReport the claim, ask what they need, and keep receipts for tarps, hotel nights and tree work.
- Call a tree serviceA crew can remove the tree from the house safely and help prevent more damage. Don’t try to cut a loaded tree yourself.
What crews handle after a storm
Storm damage tree service
Trees on houses and garages
Careful removal from roofs using climbing, rigging or a crane, so the tree doesn’t do more damage on the way off.
Hanging and broken limbs
“Widowmakers” caught in the canopy can drop at any time. They’re removed from above, not pulled from below.
Uprooted and leaning trees
Trees with the root plate lifted, leaning toward a house or road, are taken down before the next gust finishes the job.
Blocked driveways and roads
Fallen trunks and limbs cut and cleared so you can get cars and emergency vehicles in and out.
Split trunks
A trunk split down the middle after wind or ice is unstable even if it’s still standing.
Debris cleanup
Brush chipped and wood hauled. Small limbs can go to the city’s curbside pickup if they meet the size rules.
Does homeowners insurance pay for a fallen tree?
Often, but it depends on what the tree hit and why it fell. As a general guide (always check your own policy):
- Tree falls on your house, garage or fence in a storm: the damage to the structure is often covered, and policies commonly include some money for removing the tree from the structure, usually with a limit.
- Tree falls in the yard and hits nothing: removal is often not covered.
- Neighbor’s tree falls on your house: usually your own policy handles your damage first. If the neighbor knew the tree was dead or dangerous and did nothing, their insurer may be involved.
- Dead or neglected tree falls: claims can be denied if the insurer decides the tree was a known hazard. That’s a good reason to remove dead trees before storm season.
This is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Call your agent or insurer for your situation.
Storm damage? Get a tree crew on the way
Once everyone is safe and any downed lines have been reported, send a request to reach a local crew for trees on houses, hanging limbs and blocked driveways.
Jonesboro storm history
Why storm prep matters in Jonesboro
Northeast Arkansas sees strong spring storms almost every year. On March 28, 2020, an EF3 tornado with estimated peak winds of 140 mph tore a 12.55-mile path from south of Jonesboro, across Caraway Road, the Mall at Turtle Creek and the airport area, to northeast of Brookland. Twenty-two people were injured.
On May 22, 2024, a storm hit around lunchtime with a measured 70 mph gust and golf-ball-sized hail, knocking trees into houses on Fairfield Drive, National Road and across town.
- EF3Jonesboro tornado, 2020
- 600 ydmax tornado width
- 22people injured
- 70 mphgust, May 22, 2024
The trees that fail first are usually the ones with dead tops, cracked unions, rot at the base or roots damaged by construction. Having those trimmed or removed in winter costs less than an emergency call.
Sources: National Weather Service Memphis, tornado survey (2020); KAIT8, “Storm topples trees across Jonesboro” (2024).
How much does emergency tree removal cost?
Emergency removal in Jonesboro averages about $707, compared with about $474 for a planned removal (Today’s Homeowner). Prices go up when a tree is resting on a structure, when a crane is needed, or for after-hours and weekend work. After a big storm, demand spikes, so be wary of anyone going door to door asking for cash up front. Ask for a written quote and proof of insurance even in an emergency, and keep the receipts for your insurer. See the Jonesboro cost guide for more.
Emergency tree service FAQ
Who do I call when a tree falls on a power line in Jonesboro?
Call 911 if the line is down, sparking or touching anything people can reach, then report it to your electric utility. Utilities handle the lines; tree crews should only work after the utility says it’s safe. Stay well away and keep others back.
Can I remove a fallen tree myself?
Small limbs on the ground, yes. Trees resting on a house, hung up in other trees, or under tension are a different story: the wood can spring back or roll when cut. Leave those to a trained, insured crew.
Who is responsible when a neighbor’s tree falls on my property?
In general, if a healthy tree falls because of a storm, each owner’s own insurance covers their damage. If the tree was obviously dead or dangerous and the owner was told, they may be responsible. This is general information, not legal advice.
Should I tarp the roof myself?
Only if you can do it from the ground or safely without climbing on a damaged roof. Many tree and roofing crews will tarp after the tree is removed. Your policy may require you to prevent further damage, so keep receipts.
Will the city pick up storm debris?
The City of Jonesboro picks up limbs at the curb for free if they are no longer than 10 feet and no more than 8 inches across. It does not take stumps or trunks. Larger wood needs to be hauled by a tree service. After major storms, check the city’s announcements for special pickups (City of Jonesboro).
Related: tree removal in Jonesboro and storm-prep tree trimming.
Tree down in Jonesboro?
Make sure everyone is safe and downed lines are reported, then send a request to reach a local crew for storm damage.