When a tree lands on a roof, get everyone out of the damaged area, stay clear of wires and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Photograph from the ground, call a roofer to cover the opening, and arrange tree removal. The lasting repair is planned separately, once the weather allows an inspection.
Key takeaways
- The first hour is about people and wires, not the roof: get out of the damaged area, assume every wire near a fallen tree is live, and call 911 for injuries or downed lines.
- A temporary cover and a permanent repair are different jobs with different urgency; the cover stops water now, and the repair is quoted and scheduled once the roof can be inspected safely.
- Photographs taken from the ground, with the date, plus the roofer's written findings, are the records you will want if you speak to an insurer; whether anything is paid is the insurer's decision.
- The May 15, 2018 storms damaged Brookfield, New Fairfield, Danbury, Sherman, New Milford and Bridgewater, and crews were asked everywhere at once, so expect waits after a widespread storm.
- Unsolicited storm roofers appear after wind events; check registration at elicense.ct.gov and do not sign a contract at the door.
What happened on May 15, 2018, and why does it matter for roofs?
A severe storm system crossed western Connecticut with a macroburst over Brookfield and New Fairfield, winds reported up to 110 mph in one account, and damage in Newtown, Danbury, Sherman, New Milford and Bridgewater. About 120,000 customers lost power and trees fell on houses and cars. It showed how fast a wind event can overwhelm local help.
News reports at the time described tornadoes in the same outbreak and two deaths from trees on vehicles in Danbury and New Fairfield. State and local costs were reported at about $23.7 million, and the state asked for a federal disaster declaration that July. Roof-specific damage counts were not published.
The lesson for a roof owner is not about numbers. It is about sequence and about waiting. Roads closed, lines were down and every roofer and tree crew in the area had more calls than it could answer. Homeowners who had photographs and a plan fared better than those starting from nothing.
A storm like that is rare, but wind events that drop a limb or a whole tree on a wooded lot are not. The same steps apply to a single limb as to a whole tree.
What do you do in the first hour?
Get everyone and the pets out of the rooms under the damage, stay away from wires and call 911 if anyone is hurt or a line is down. Then, from the ground, photograph the tree and the roof. Do not enter the attic, climb a ladder or try to move the tree.
A fallen tree can shift without warning. A strained rafter may give way, a wire under the branches may be live, and an oil or gas line may be damaged. Wait outside until the electric utility confirms the line is dead.
If water is coming in, contain it with buckets and towels, and keep people out from under any bulging ceiling. The page on fallen tree roof damage lays out what happens next.
- Everyone out of the damaged area
- 911 for injuries or downed wires
- Photographs from the ground only
- Contain water indoors if it is safe to do so
What is the right order of work: tree, tarp, repair?
Usually the tree comes off first or in step with the roofer, then the opening is covered, then the structure is checked, then the permanent repair is scheduled. Pulling a trunk off without a plan can drop more of it into the house, so the roofer and tree crew should talk first.
The table lays the sequence out with who does each step. Real jobs vary, and the roofer decides what is safe.
| Step | Who does it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Make safe, stay clear of wires | You, the utility and emergency services | Prevent injury |
| Photograph from the ground | You | Create a dated record |
| Remove the tree or limb | A tree service, guided by the roofer | Take weight off the roof without bringing more down |
| Cover the opening | The roofer | Stop water for days or weeks |
| Check rafters and decking | The roofer, sometimes a structural professional | Decide what must be rebuilt |
| Permanent repair | The roofer | Restore the roof, scheduled when weather allows |
How is a temporary cover different from the permanent repair?
A temporary cover, usually a tarp or boards, stops water for a short time and is put on in whatever conditions allow. The permanent repair is done in daylight and dry weather after inspection, with a written scope and price. They are separate jobs, and one promise does not cover both.
Immediately after a storm a roofer is working on a wet, possibly damaged roof, often as the light fails. The goal is to keep water out until a proper job can be done. The roofer should say how long the cover is meant to last.
The permanent repair is planned: damaged rafters are repaired, decking replaced, shingles and flashing installed, and the whole is written down. A repair of this size normally involves the town building office.
If a roofer pushes a permanent contract on you during the emergency, slow down. You can accept the temporary cover and take time over the rest. See storm damage roof repair for the full picture.
Why should you photograph everything, and what should you keep?
Photographs show what the roof looked like before anyone touched it, and they back up the roofer's written findings if you speak to an insurer. Take wide and close shots from the ground, add the date, and keep receipts for temporary work. What is paid is your insurer's decision.
After the 2018 storms, documented inspections helped owners present their cases to adjusters. That does not mean a claim will succeed. It means a record is easier to discuss than a memory.
Keep the originals, store a copy off site, and write a short log of calls and dates. The page on roof insurance claim help goes through the records in more detail.
How do you avoid unsolicited storm roofers?
Be wary of anyone who knocks after a storm offering a free inspection, pushes you to sign at once, asks for money upfront or says they will deal with your insurer. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warned about this in 2025. Check registration at elicense.ct.gov before you sign anything.
The department reported 91 roofing complaints in the first half of 2025, and issued a warning with a consumer-protection group in July. Its complaint hotline is 800-842-2649.
In Connecticut a contract has to be signed before work starts, and it should state who pulls the permit. The guide on checking a roofer's registration explains how to look up a roofer and what to ask.
How can you reduce the risk before the next storm?
Have a tree service assess large trees close to the house, especially those with dead limbs, leaning trunks or damaged roots, and trim limbs that overhang the roof. Do this before storm season, from the ground, with qualified people. Know whom to call and keep a list by the phone.
Dead limbs show up best in autumn when the leaves are down. A tree with exposed roots, cracks or fungus at the base deserves a closer look from a professional.
Pruning branches that rub the roof also reduces granule loss and moss. For the wider picture of shade and debris, see the guide on roofing under trees.
What does a roofer check in the structure below the strike?
The roofer looks at rafters and ridge for cracks or displacement, the decking for splits and soaked boards, the ceiling joists and insulation for water and weight, and the walls below for movement. If the framing looks strained, a structural professional may be asked to assess it before the repair is scoped.
From the attic, a crack in a rafter shows as splintered wood, and a sag shows as a dip when a straight edge is laid along the underside. The roofer also looks for nails pulled through, shifted ridge boards and daylight at the joints.
Inside, new cracks in a ceiling, doors that stick and windows that jam are signs that load has moved. They do not always mean serious damage, but they are reasons to keep people out of the room until someone has looked.
The result should be a written description with photographs, and a list of what will be replaced. A repair of this size normally involves the town building office, and the roofer should say who applies for the permit.
How do long driveways and lake roads change the response?
Hill roads and lake-association lanes can be blocked by the same tree that hit your roof, and a long, steep or gated driveway slows equipment. Tell the line how the house is reached, whether a limb blocks the way and whether a gate code or association contact is needed.
Crews bring ladders, tarps, chain saws and sometimes lifts. A narrow drive lined with trees may not take a truck, and a roofer who knows the road will plan accordingly. Mention any steep section, any shared drive and any rules on contractor hours.
After a widespread storm, access may be the slowest part of the whole process. If the road is blocked, the utility and the town highway crew clear it before anyone else can reach you. Until then, the best response is inside the house: contain water, stay out of damaged rooms and keep photographs.
None of this is a reason to delay the call. The line answers at any hour, and the roofer you reach decides what is safe and when.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call first when a tree hits my roof?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a wire is down. Then call a roofer to cover the opening and a tree service to remove the tree.
How long will I wait for a roofer after a storm?
It depends on the storm and the roofer's workload. This line answers at any hour but cannot promise an arrival time.
Should I cover the hole myself?
It is safer not to. A wet or damaged roof can give way and a poorly fastened tarp can blow off. Contain water indoors and let a crew do the cover.
Will my insurer pay for the repair?
That is for your insurer to decide, and this guide cannot say. Keep photographs, receipts and the roofer's written findings.
Do I need a permit to repair storm damage?
A substantial repair or rebuild may need one from the town building office. The roofer should confirm and say who applies.
Sources
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – roofing consumer alert and complaint information
- Connecticut eLicense – look up a registered contractor
This guide is general information for Fairfield County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.