Storm Season Prep for WV Homeowners: A Tree-Safety Checklist

West Virginia gets it all — derechos, ice storms, heavy snow, and the kind of summer thunderstorms that snap 80-foot pines like toothpicks. After every major storm, our phones light up with emergency calls. The good news: a lot of the damage we see was preventable with a little pre-season prep.

1. Walk Your Property

Once a season — and after any major storm — walk your property and look up. You're looking for anything that could become a projectile or a falling hazard in high wind.

What to look for

• Dead or hanging limbs over the house, driveway, or power lines
• Trees leaning toward structures
• Cracks in major branches or trunks
• Mushrooms or fungal growth at the base
• Recently exposed or damaged roots

2. Schedule Pre-Storm Pruning

Strategic pruning reduces wind load on the canopy and removes weak limbs before they become flying debris. Late fall through early spring is the ideal window across most of WV.

3. Identify and Address Hazard Trees

If you have a tree that's been making you nervous, don't wait. Removing it on a calm Tuesday is a fraction of the cost — and the chaos — of dealing with it after it's already on your roof at 2 a.m.

4. Clear Drainage and Erosion Risks

Saturated ground is when most large trees fail. Make sure downspouts, drainage swales, and culverts are clear so water doesn't pond around tree roots.

5. Document Your Property

Take photos of your home's exterior and large trees from multiple angles. If you ever need to file an insurance claim, before-and-after photos make the process dramatically easier.

6. Save an Emergency Number

Program a 24/7 emergency tree service into your phone now — not at midnight in the middle of a storm. Allied Tree & Land Pros answers calls around the clock at (540) 336-8695.

What to Do During and After a Storm

During the storm

• Stay inside and away from windows that face large trees
• Move vehicles out from under canopy if you have warning
• Never approach a downed power line — assume it's live

After the storm

1. Check on family and neighbors first
2. Document any damage with photos before cleanup
3. Report downed power lines to the utility company
4. Call a professional for any tree on a structure, vehicle, or wire
5. Don't try to cut tensioned, leaning, or partially fallen trees yourself

We're Here 24/7

Storm cleanup and emergency tree removal are core services for us. Whether you need a pre-storm walkthrough or middle-of-the-night response, our crew is on call across our entire WV service area.