Safety first: if anyone is hurt, call 911. Stay out of any part of the house the tree has hit if the roof or walls look unstable, and treat every wire near the tree as live.
A tree on a house happens fast, and the next few hours matter. Salina has seen it at scale. On June 8, 2026, a 113 mph gust at Salina Airport brought trees down across the city and left about 35,000 Saline County residents without power. This guide puts the steps in order so you know what to do first, what can wait and what to avoid.
The first ten minutes
- Get everyone, including pets, out of the damaged part of the house and away from the tree.
- Call 911 if there is an injury, a fire, a structural collapse or any wire down.
- If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave the house at once and call 911 and the gas utility from outside.
- Do not touch the tree, anything it is touching or any wire near it. Branches can hold live current.
- Do not go back inside for belongings until the structure has been judged safe.
Utilities: gas, water and power
A heavy tree can break a gas line, a water line or the electric service where it enters the house. If the electrical service is torn or sparking, do not go near it, and call the electric utility. In Salina that is Evergy. If water is flowing and you can reach the shutoff safely, turn it off. If the tree is on the service line or pulled the meter, wait for the utility to make it safe before anyone approaches.
Document everything before anything moves
Take photos and video of the tree, the damage inside and out and the surrounding yard before anyone cuts or hauls anything. Photograph the address and any street-side damage, and note the date and time. Insurers often want to see the damage as it was, and clear records make claims easier. See does homeowners insurance cover tree removal in Salina KS for what to ask.
Call your insurance company early
Call as soon as you safely can. Ask what they require before cleanup, whether they have a preferred contractor and how emergency repairs are handled. Many policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as tarping a damaged roof, and to keep receipts. Do not assume what is or is not covered. Ask, and write down who you spoke to and when.
Stop further damage
If the roof is open, water is the next problem. A roofer can tarp it, and sometimes the tree has to come off first. Do not climb onto a damaged roof yourself. A roof loaded with a heavy tree can fail without warning, and a limb under tension can spring when it is cut. If you can protect belongings inside without entering an unsafe area, move them. Otherwise leave them and tell your insurer.
Getting the tree off the house
This is a job for professionals. The crew has to work out where the weight is, whether the tree is bearing on the structure and in what order to cut. Often the tree is taken apart from the top down in sections, with ropes and sometimes a crane to lift pieces over the house. Cutting the wrong piece first can drop the tree further into the building. See emergency tree service in Salina KS for how this kind of work is handled.
Choosing who to call
After big storms, out-of-area crews often go door to door. Some are fine, but many are not, and demand makes it easy to take a deposit and disappear. Before anyone starts:
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
- Get the scope in writing, including cleanup, hauling and the stump.
- Do not pay the full amount up front.
- Check what your insurer expects, since some require specific documentation.
Read how to hire a tree service in Salina KS for the full checklist.
After the tree is off
Once the house is secure, look at the rest of your trees. Wind that brings down one tree often damages others, with cracked limbs, lifted roots or new leans that are not obvious. A hazardous tree assessment in Salina KS can sort out which ones need work before the next storm. The stump and root plate can be dealt with later through stump grinding in Salina KS.
What if the tree is your neighbor’s?
A tree falling from a neighbor’s property onto yours raises questions about who pays. Start by documenting, call your own insurer and talk to your neighbor. See whose tree is it in Salina KS for how responsibility generally works and when to ask a professional.
Common questions about a tree on your house
Should we move out of the house?
If there is structural damage, a gas smell, no power or an open roof, it may not be safe or livable. Many homeowners policies include some coverage for extra living costs when a home cannot be lived in, but terms vary. Ask your insurer before you book a hotel, and keep receipts.
How soon will a tree service arrive?
After a big windstorm, demand is far higher than supply. Crews usually prioritize people in danger and trees on houses, then trees blocking access, then everything else. Be patient, make the site as safe as you can and keep your phone nearby for call-backs.
Can I just cut the tree off the roof myself?
No. A tree on a house can be under tension, and the roof under it may already be weakened. A cut in the wrong place can drop the tree further into the structure or throw a limb. This is one of the most dangerous jobs in tree work, and it should be done by a trained crew with proper rigging.
Need help with a tree in Salina KS?
For general costs, see the tree removal cost in Salina KS guide. If you want a professional to look at a tree, request a free tree service quote in Salina KS. Describe the tree, where it stands and what worries you, and send photos if you can. You can also print the tree check checklist for Salina KS homeowners to walk your property first, or read the tree service FAQ for Salina KS.
