A tree coming down on your house is disorienting. The noise, the damage, the adrenaline — it is hard to think clearly in the first few minutes. Knowing ahead of time who to call and in what order is one of the most useful things you can do before you ever need it.
The right order of calls
- 1911 — if anyone is injured OR power lines are down
- 2Your utility company — Alabama Power or your local provider if lines are down
- 3Your insurance company — to report the damage and start the claim
- 4A tree service — for emergency removal from the structure
- 5A contractor — for structural repairs after the tree is cleared
Call 911 if anyone is injured or power lines are down
If anyone inside or outside the home is hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not try to move an injured person unless they are in immediate additional danger. Emergency services handle both medical situations and downed power lines — firefighters and utility crews clear the lines before any tree work can begin.
If the fallen tree has made contact with power lines, treat every line as live and lethal. Do not touch the tree, any connected debris, or the ground within a wide radius of the lines. Stay well back and call 911. Also notify Alabama Power or your local utility directly.
If there are no injuries and no downed lines
If the situation is serious but not a medical emergency, 911 is generally not required. Your first call — after confirming everyone is safe — should be to your homeowner's insurance company to report the damage and start the claims process. Take photos of everything before you move anything.
Your second call should be to a tree service. Transform Cleaning LLC responds to emergency calls across Tuscumbia, Florence, Muscle Shoals, and the surrounding Shoals area. We prioritize jobs where a tree is on a structure and can often respond the same day. Call (256) 740-7390.
What about calling the city?
If the tree came from city or municipal property — a tree in the right-of-way between sidewalk and street — notify your city's public works department. The city typically only addresses the portion in the right-of-way. Damage to your property still goes through your own insurance. Rules vary by city, so call your local public works office to confirm responsibility in your specific situation.
For the tree removal step, Transform Cleaning LLC handles storm damage response throughout the Shoals. We document everything for your insurance claim and work efficiently to get the tree off your home. Call (256) 740-7390. After the tree is out, you will need a contractor for the repairs. Advanced Construction Solutions ((931) 369-2134) is a licensed contractor serving Killen, Florence, Muscle Shoals, and surrounding areas — metal roofing, gutters, concrete, and more. Adams Remodeling & Construction is another trusted option for remodeling and repair across the Shoals.
Need help right now?
Transform Cleaning LLC, serving the entire Shoals.
Licensed, insured, and based in Tuscumbia. Free estimates, same-day response on emergencies.