It's a sound you never forget — the crack, then the crash, then silence. A tree has come down on your house. Whether it's a limb through a window or a whole live oak across the roof, what you do in the next few minutes protects your family and your wallet.
Here in San Antonio, tree failures spike after spring hail, summer downbursts, and the occasional hard freeze. Cowboy Tree Care And Services responds to these calls 24/7 across Bexar County. Here's the exact order of operations we tell homeowners over the phone.
Key Takeaways
- People first — get everyone away from the tree and out from under the canopy before anything else.
- Treat every line as live; if the tree touches a wire, call CPS Energy or 911 and never approach it.
- Photograph the whole scene from a safe distance before any cleanup starts — your claim depends on it.
- Don't pull the tree yourself; a loaded tree is under tension and can shift the moment you cut it.
1. Get Everyone Out and Away
People first, always. Move everyone out of the affected part of the house and well away from the tree. A tree resting on a roof can shift or drop further without warning, and a partially failed tree can finish falling minutes or hours later.
Don't go back in for belongings, and don't stand under or near the canopy to take a look. Distance is your best protection.
2. Assume Every Line Is Live
If the tree is touching a power line — or if lines are down anywhere near it — treat them as energized even if your power is out. Do not approach, touch, cut, or move the tree. Call CPS Energy or 911 immediately for line contact.
CPS Energy handles line-clearance situations, and some non-emergency cases take days to coordinate — but an active dangerous contact should be reported right away. A tree crew coordinates with the utility before any work begins near lines.
3. Shut Off Utilities If It's Safe
If you can do so safely and without going near the damaged area or any lines, shut off electricity to the affected part of the house at the breaker, and turn off gas if you smell it. If reaching the panel means passing under the tree or near downed lines, skip this step and wait for professionals.
4. Document Everything for Insurance
Before anything gets moved, photograph the scene from safe positions: the whole tree, the point of impact, roof and interior damage, and any damaged fences, vehicles, or landscaping. Get some shots that show your address context, too.
Save every photo with its date, and keep the estimate, invoice, and disposal records that follow. Your insurer decides coverage, so the more documentation you have, the smoother the claim.
5. Make Temporary Protection — Carefully
If rain is coming and part of your roof is open, temporary tarping can limit water damage — but only if it can be done safely from the ground or a stable position, never by climbing onto a compromised roof. Most insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and a tree crew can tarp exposed areas once the tree is off.
6. Call a Qualified Tree Crew
Call a licensed, insured tree service — not a random truck that shows up after a storm. Give them your address, what's hit, and whether any lines are involved so they bring the right equipment. Removing a tree off a house safely takes rigging or a crane and a plan for the order of cuts, because a loaded tree is full of stored energy.
Cowboy Tree Care And Services runs a 24/7 emergency line, coordinates with CPS Energy when lines are involved, and provides the documentation your claim needs. Program the number in your phone before you need it.
Related Services & Areas
Frequently Asked
What should I do during the first 30 minutes of a tree emergency?
What should I do if a tree touches a power line?
Does homeowners insurance cover storm-damaged tree removal and cleanup?
What should I photograph for an insurance claim?
The Bottom Line
A tree on your house is frightening, but the right sequence keeps a bad day from getting worse: protect people, respect the lines, document, and call a crew that removes it without adding damage.
Need Help With Your Trees?
Get a free, no-pressure written estimate from a local, fully insured crew. Same-day and 24/7 emergency service available across San Antonio, Bexar County & the Texas Hill Country.
