After storm damage in Howard County, work in this order: safety, then insurance documentation, then cleanup. Assume every downed line is live and call BGE at 1-877-778-2222. Keep everyone away from trees resting on structures, and never cut a limb that is bent, pinned, or under tension. Photograph everything before anything is moved, because adjusters settle claims on documentation and pre-cleanup photos are worth far more than photos taken afterward.
Howard County gets its tree damage in bunches — a summer thunderstorm line, remnants of a tropical system, an ice storm, or the rare derecho, and suddenly there's a tree on the fence and limbs across the driveway. What you do in the first hour matters for your safety, and what you do in the first day matters for your insurance claim. Here's the sequence, in order.
First: the safety checks
1. Assume any downed line is live
If a tree or limb has brought down a power line — or is resting on one — stay far away, keep everyone away, and call BGE at 1-877-778-2222 (and 911 if there's immediate danger). No tree work happens near a line until the utility de-energizes or clears it. This is the one rule with no exceptions.
2. Keep people away from the damaged tree
A trunk resting on a roof or a limb hung up in the canopy is under load and can shift without warning. Rope off or mentally fence the area — kids and pets especially. If a tree is on your house and you smell gas or the structure is compromised, get everyone out and call 911 before anything else.
3. Don't cut anything under tension
Limbs pinned under a fallen trunk store spring energy and are a classic cause of serious chainsaw injuries — they release violently when cut. Storm cleanup is genuinely different from ordinary yard work, and it's where most homeowner chainsaw accidents happen. Clearing small loose brush from the lawn is fine; anything bent, pinned, hanging, or attached to a structure is professional work.
Then: protect your claim
4. Photograph everything before it moves
From a safe distance, take wide shots and close-ups: the tree, what it hit, the point of failure on the trunk, and the surrounding damage. Adjusters settle claims on documentation, and photos taken before cleanup are worth far more than photos taken after.
5. Call your insurance company early
When a tree damages a covered structure — house, garage, fence, shed — standard homeowners policies generally cover removal from the structure and repairs, minus your deductible. A tree down in the open yard, hitting nothing, is often not covered or capped at a small amount. Report promptly, ask what documentation they want, and save every receipt.
6. Prevent further damage (reasonably)
Policies expect you to mitigate — tarping a hole in the roof, for example — and generally reimburse reasonable costs of doing so. Keep receipts. Don't put yourself on a damaged roof to do it; that's part of what emergency crews are for.
Finally: the cleanup
7. Triage with your tree contractor
Describe what's down and what it's on when you call. Trees on occupied homes and blocked driveways come first; a tree quietly lying in the back yard can wait a day, and honest contractors will tell you so. Expect two phases: making it safe, then full cleanup and hauling.
8. Watch for storm chasers
After every major storm, out-of-area crews sweep neighborhoods knocking on doors, demanding cash up front, and vanishing. Verify insurance, get the scope in writing, and be suspicious of anyone who "just happens to be working next door." A local company will still exist next month; that matters if something goes wrong.
9. Have the survivors inspected
The tree that fell isn't always the last problem. Cracked limbs, new leans, and lifted root plates on nearby trees are the next storm's damage waiting to happen — a post-storm walk-through catches them while the memory (and the insurance file) is fresh.
Storm damage right now? Our emergency line at 410-826-9006 is answered 24/7. For everything else, estimates are free and written.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do first after a tree falls during a storm?
Check safety before anything else. Treat any downed or contacted power line as live, keep people and pets well away, and call BGE at 1-877-778-2222, plus 911 if there is immediate danger. If a tree is on the house and you smell gas or the structure looks compromised, evacuate and call 911 before doing anything else.
Should you cut storm-damaged limbs yourself?
Not if they are bent, pinned, hanging, or attached to a structure. Limbs pinned under a fallen trunk store spring energy and release violently when cut, which is a leading cause of serious homeowner chainsaw injuries. Clearing small loose brush from the lawn is reasonable; anything under tension or at height is professional work.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm tree damage in Maryland?
Generally yes when a tree damages a covered structure such as a house, garage, shed, or fence. Standard policies typically cover removal from the structure and the repairs, minus your deductible. A tree that falls in the open yard and hits nothing is often not covered, or is capped at a small fixed amount. Report the claim promptly and keep every receipt.