A Jacksonville Homeowner’s Checklist After Tree Storm Damage

After a Northeast Florida storm, the first question is not how quickly a tree can be moved. It is whether people can stay clear of the hazard. A tree resting on a house, a split trunk, a large limb hung in the canopy, or a blocked exit can need a different response from scattered branches in the yard.

If someone is injured, trapped, or in immediate danger, call 911. Keep people and pets away from the damaged tree and the area where it could fall. Do not climb, cut, pull, or move a lodged limb or a tree under tension.

1. Treat every downed wire as energized

Never touch a wire or a tree, fence, vehicle, or other object in contact with one. Keep well back, warn others away, and report a downed electric line to the utility. JEA asks customers to report downed electric lines at 904-665-6000; use the number for the utility that serves your property if it is not JEA. Do not ask a tree crew to work around a line until the utility confirms the hazard is handled. See JEA’s tree damage and debris guidance and OSHA’s line-clearance tree-trimming safety guidance.

2. Keep away from unstable trees and structures

A branch that is cracked but still attached can move without warning. A trunk leaning against a roof, a hanging limb, a broken top, or a root plate lifting from the ground can shift as wind, rain, or cleanup changes the load. Do not stand beneath it to inspect or take a closer photo. If a building appears damaged, keep out of unsafe areas and follow instructions from emergency responders.

3. Separate urgent hazards from routine cleanup

Tell the utility about an electric-line hazard. For an immediate threat to people or a structure, contact emergency services. For a tree blocking a public road, report it to the City of Jacksonville; JEA lists 904-630-CITY for roadway debris. Private-property tree removal or cleanup is a separate request once the scene is safe. If the issue is limited to small branches on the lawn and no hazard remains, it can usually be assessed as planned cleanup rather than an emergency call.

4. Document the situation from a safe place

When it is safe, take a wide photo that shows the tree and nearby structures, then a closer view of visible damage without going under the tree or crossing debris. Note the property address, which area is blocked, whether anyone can safely enter, and whether utility lines are involved. Keep original photos and any insurer instructions. Do not delay an emergency call to gather pictures.

5. Ask for a clear scope before non-emergency work

When you call a tree service, describe what fell or remains attached, what it is touching, the access route, and any fences, roofs, pools, or parked vehicles nearby. Ask what the estimate covers: removal or pruning, debris handling, stump work, and any limits around a utility or structure. Russell Tree Care serves Jacksonville and Northeast Florida with emergency tree service and storm cleanup. Call 1-844-467-9663 for current availability, or use the estimate request form for non-emergency work. Response timing depends on current conditions and crew availability.

What not to do

• Do not touch or approach a downed line, even if it looks inactive.
• Do not use a ladder, chainsaw, vehicle, or rope to move a hung-up limb or lodged tree.
• Do not walk under a damaged canopy or enter a building that may be unsafe.
• Treat every downed wire as energized; let the utility identify it.

For a non-urgent tree concern after the storm, start with a tree risk assessment. For removal and yard restoration questions, see the Jacksonville tree-service planning guide.