5 Urgent Steps: What to Do If a Tree Falls on Your Roof (2026)
Central Florida is known for its beautiful, massive oak and pine trees. While they provide wonderful shade during the blistering summer, they become severe liabilities during hurricane season. When a severe thunderstorm or hurricane rolls through with 100+ mph winds, the unthinkable can happen in an instant. If you are suddenly jolted awake by a massive crash and find yourself asking what to do if a tree falls on your roof, you need to act fast.
At Gravity Roofing, we have helped hundreds of homeowners navigate this terrifying scenario. Here are the five urgent steps you must take to ensure your family’s safety and protect your property from further destruction.
Does homeowners insurance cover a tree falling on roof?
What to do if a tree falls on your roof? First, evacuate the immediate area to ensure safety. Yes, standard homeowners insurance typically covers the structural damage and the cost of removing the tree from the roof, provided the tree fell due to a sudden, covered peril like a windstorm or hurricane.
5 Steps to Take When a Tree Hits Your Roof
When disaster strikes, panic is a natural reaction. However, following these five steps will help you regain control of the situation and mitigate further damage:
1. Evacuate the Area Immediately
The moment you realize a tree has struck your home, your first priority is human safety. A massive tree trunk can easily compromise the structural integrity of your roof trusses, leading to a sudden ceiling collapse. Evacuate your family and pets from the affected rooms immediately. Do not attempt to climb onto the roof to inspect the damage yourself. FEMA recommends staying away from structurally damaged buildings until they can be safely assessed.
2. Call Emergency Services if Necessary
If the tree has brought down active power lines, ruptured a gas line, or trapped someone inside the home, call 911 immediately. Treat all downed power lines as live and extremely dangerous. Wait for the fire department or utility company to secure the area before proceeding.
3. Contact Gravity Roofing for Fast Tarping
Once everyone is safe, you need to stop the water from pouring into your home. The next step in knowing what to do if a tree falls on your roof is securing the envelope. Call Gravity Roofing. While we do not offer 24/7 emergency tarping, we prioritize severe structural breaches and will dispatch a team as quickly as possible during business hours to safely tarp the hole and prevent further interior water damage.
4. Document the Damage for Insurance
Before any cleanup begins (if it is safe to do so from the ground), take extensive photos and videos of the tree, the roof damage, and any interior water damage or broken personal belongings. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim. Your adjuster will need visual proof of the sudden peril.
5. Call Your Homeowners Insurance Company
Contact your insurance provider to file a claim. They will likely ask you what to do if a tree falls on your roof regarding cleanup. Your insurance will typically pay a professional tree removal service to lift the tree off the house, and then they will cover the cost of the structural roof repairs. Gravity Roofing will work directly with your adjuster to ensure all necessary repairs are approved and completed to Florida building codes.
Trust the Local Storm Damage Experts
“A tree through the roof is one of the most stressful events a homeowner can experience,” says Taz Crumpler, President of Gravity Roofing. “Our job is to step in, secure the home, and guide you through the repair process so you can get back to normal life.”
If your home has suffered severe impact damage, do not wait. Contact Gravity Roofing today to book your free, no-obligation roof inspection or get an instant online roof estimate. Call us at (407) 461-0234 or visit us at 14 S Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803.
