Nashville Ice Storm Recovery Checklist: What to Do When a Tree Falls on Your Home
What to Do After The Nashville Ice Storm
The recent ice storm in Nashville left many homeowners facing unexpected damage, from fallen trees to compromised roofs. If your home has been affected, you might be feeling overwhelmed and asking yourself: What can I do now? Who should I contact in my community? And who can I trust to help fix this?
Take a deep breath. You are not alone. There are trusted companies, neighbors, and local resources ready to step in and guide you through this stressful time. With the right support, you can start to feel a little more in control and know that your home and family will be safe and taken care of.
To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a simple checklist you can follow. It is designed to help you find the right help, prioritize what needs to be done first, and start getting your home back to normal with confidence.
1. Ensure Your Safety First
After a tree falls on your home, the most important thing is making sure everyone inside is safe. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there aren’t injuries, carefully survey your home from a safe distance. If the roof looks unstable, you notice large cracks, or walls seem compromised, evacuate right away.
Also, treat any downed power lines or suspected gas leaks as serious hazards. Call 911 or your local emergency services so professionals can secure the area before you go near it. Safety comes first. Everything else, from cleanup to repairs, should wait until you know everyone is out of harm’s way.
2. Contact Utility Companies
After a tree falls on your home, ensuring utility safety is critical. Damaged electrical wires, water lines, or gas pipes can create serious hazards if handled improperly, so it is important to contact the right professionals before attempting any cleanup or repairs.
Electric: Downed power lines or wires near your home are extremely dangerous. Always treat all lines as live. To report a power outage or a hazardous situation, call Nashville Electric Service. You can also report outages and access resources online at nespower.com
Water / Gas: If you smell gas or suspect water line damage, contact your utility provider immediately. To report broken water lines or other emergencies, call Nashville Metro Water.
Taking these steps first helps protect your home and family while ensuring that professionals can safely assess and secure any utility issues before repairs begin.
Tip: Some utilities have 24/7 emergency lines. Do not wait until business hours.
3. Documenting the Damage: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right
After a tree falls on your home, taking the time to document the damage carefully is one of the most important things you can do. Photos and videos are not just for insurance. They provide a clear record of what happened, the extent of the damage, and any immediate safety concerns. Start by photographing the tree itself, the roof, siding, windows, and any interior areas affected by leaks or debris. Do not forget to capture wide-angle shots that show the overall scene, as well as close-ups that highlight cracks, broken materials, or water intrusion.
Beyond pictures, keep a detailed log of everything you notice. Note the date and time you took each photo or video, any temporary measures you put in place, and even the weather conditions at the time. Record small details that might seem minor, like a displaced gutter, torn insulation, or furniture you moved to prevent water damage. These little notes can make a big difference when your insurance adjuster or contractor is evaluating the situation, and they help protect you if questions arise later.
Finally, consider documenting things you might not think of right away. Capture evidence of nearby trees or branches that could pose future risks, broken fences, damaged landscaping, or any debris blocking driveways and entrances. If you notice items inside your home that were damaged by water or falling debris, photograph them individually. Keeping a thorough, organized record not only speeds up the claims process but also gives your contractor a clear starting point, helping them plan repairs efficiently and accurately.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
If a tree has fallen on your home, contacting your insurance company promptly is one of the most important steps in protecting your property and ensuring repairs are handled correctly.
When you contact your insurance company, document everything carefully. It is also helpful to understand what your policy covers and what it does not. Ask your insurance representative about temporary repairs, such as tarping a damaged roof or boarding up broken windows, and whether these costs will be reimbursed.
Also, work with trusted, experienced contractors to provide repair estimates. Insurers are more confident approving claims when the work is performed by reputable professionals who can ensure the job is done safely and correctly. Proper documentation and clear communication with your insurance company can make a stressful situation much more manageable.
5. Call a Contractor to Protect Your Home and Prevent More Damage
Once your home is safe and everyone is out of harm’s way, the next step is getting a contractor involved to stabilize things and stop further damage. At Artisan Build Construct, our goal is simple: make sure your home is protected while you figure out what repairs are needed.
Depending on your situation, that can look like a few different things. We might coordinate temporary weatherproofing to keep water out, help with water mitigation, or assist in evaluating what needs to be fixed first. We can also provide repair estimates and guide you through the construction process so you know what to expect. Once it is safe and access is clear, we will schedule and coordinate the work to get your home back in shape as quickly and efficiently as possible.
By taking these steps, you can protect your home, coordinate repairs properly, and avoid rushed, substandard work that can lead to bigger problems down the road.
Local Expertise, Trusted Repairs, Lasting Results
In situations like this, experience and connections matter more than ever. At Artisan Build Construct, we bring both to the table. Our team has the expertise to assess storm damage thoroughly, determine what needs immediate attention, and plan repairs that protect the long-term integrity of your home.
But expertise alone is not enough. Getting your home repaired quickly and with high-quality results takes more than just finding a contractor who is available when you need them. You also want a contractor who has a skilled, trained in-house team and a trusted network of local trade partners. Why does that matter? Working with the right contractor gives you access to specialists who are often hard to find, and established partnerships can sometimes get you on their schedule faster. In other words, the right team and connections make a real difference in how quickly and efficiently your home can be restored.
And the difference matters. Too often, homeowners who just need “someone quick” end up with rushed, substandard repairs that lead to bigger problems down the road. With the right team and the right partners, you get the opposite: a coordinated, high-quality approach that handles the immediate crisis and sets your home up for the future.
When the unexpected happens, working with a company that can respond quickly, coordinate trusted professionals, and get the job done right is not just convenient. It is peace of mind.
To get started, give us a call or fill out our online form.
