Tree Damage on Roofs After Windstorms: What Are the Safe Next Steps and Who Do I Call First?

Last updated: 2026-05-26 by Ted Sellers, Owner

If a fallen tree caused storm damage and tree roof damage after a windstorm, take these immediate safety steps: treat it like a site-safety issue first and a roofing issue second. Keep people away, check for power lines, and call emergency services if there’s any immediate danger. Next, contact your utility (if lines are involved), then a qualified tree-removal crew, then a commercial roofing contractor to stop leaks, document damage, and plan repairs.

When This Applies

This guidance fits most commercial property owners and facility managers dealing with a tree or large limb that hit the building, scraped the membrane, punctured decking causing structural damage, smashed rooftop units, or clogged drains with debris.

It also applies when the tree didn’t fully “land” on the roof but caused impact damage that shows up later, like water intrusion with new leaks, wet ceiling tiles, bubbling on a single-ply membrane, or a slow drip near an exterior wall. Wind can lift and twist branches like a crowbar, prying at flashings and seams. On low-slope systems, the damage can be sneaky because water travels before it shows itself.

If your building has tenants, treat this as an operations problem too. A small puncture can turn into interior damage overnight, especially if the next weather system brings rain or snow melt.

When this does not apply (or you need different help first)

Some situations require a different first call or a faster escalation.

Active hazards that change the order

For windstorm safety and hazard assessment, if any of the conditions below are present, don’t start with a roofer or tree service:

• Downed power lines near the tree, roof, or fence line.
• Fire, sparks, or a burning smell at the service mast or rooftop equipment.
• A gas odor, structural shifting, or a fallen tree that appears to be pulling a wall outward.

In those cases, call 911 and follow instructions. A roof can be repaired, but an unsafe scene can turn serious in seconds.

Who to Call First After Tree Roof Damage (and Why the Order Matters)

The safest call order for most commercial buildings

Most businesses do best with a clear, no-drama order of operations:

1) Emergency services (only if needed). If there’s any risk to life safety, call 911. If not, skip to the next step.

2) Utility company (when downed power lines are involved). Even if the downed power lines look intact, a branch can load them and create hidden tension. Utilities can secure the area and de-energize if needed.

3) A tree removal service. Removing a tree off a roof is rigging work, not “maintenance work.” Consult a certified arborist for the rigging work. A good crew will crane or sectional-cut the load so it doesn’t roll, punch through decking, or rip off parapet cap.

4) A roofing contractor. Once the roof is accessible and safe, you need a roofing contractor who can perform a roof inspection to identify membrane punctures, wet insulation, damaged flashings, and crushed drains, then make weather-tight repairs fast.

If you’re in the Twin Cities, a local option is storm damage commercial roofing in Saint Paul, especially when you need documentation and emergency response from a professional roofer.

Why calling the wrong trade first wastes time (and money)

If you call a roofing contractor before the tree is stabilized, they often can’t safely access the damage. If you call a tree crew before checking for electrical hazards, you risk injuries and a job stoppage.

The right order also protects your storm damage insurance claim. Clean documentation plus a controlled removal prevents the “secondary damage” argument that can pop up when a tree is cut incorrectly and caves in more roof area.

Step-by-Step

If a tree is resting on the roof right now

1. Keep everyone off the roof and away from fall zones. Block access points, move vehicles, and keep staff and tenants clear of the area below the fallen tree.
2. Scan for hazards from the ground. Look for power lines, leaning walls, cracked masonry, or water pouring inside. If any are present, call 911.
3. Stop interior damage without climbing. Move inventory, cover equipment with plastic, place buckets, and shut down at-risk circuits in wet areas if you can do so safely.
4. Document the damage. Take wide shots of the building faces, the tree’s position, and any interior water staining. Time-stamped photos help later.
5. Schedule controlled removal. An emergency tree service should remove the load in sections. Don’t let anyone “just cut it free,” because the last cut is when roofs get crushed.
6. Get a roofing inspection the same day if possible. Temporary sealing, drain clearing, and moisture checks can prevent a small puncture from turning into a soaked insulation field.

If the tree is gone but the roof is leaking

1. Assume there’s more than one breach. Branches often bounce and scrape, so you may have punctures plus torn flashing.
2. Ask for temporary repairs first. The goal is to prevent further damage by stopping water now, then plan permanent repairs when conditions allow.
3. Request moisture assessment. Wet insulation and saturated cover board can spread damage under the membrane, especially on low-slope roofs.
4. Create a repair plan that matches your system. A patched seam on TPO differs from an EPDM repair, and both differ from modified bitumen. This is where commercial flat roof repair experience matters.

If you suspect your commercial roof needs repair or replacement

1. Use business-impact cues, not guesswork. If you see repeat leaks, soft spots, or widespread punctures, your commercial roof needs repair, even if the damage looks “small” from the ground.
2. Separate “repairable” from “end-of-life.” While shingle replacement might work for sloped roofs, if the roof was already near the end of its service life, storm impact can push it into commercial roof replacement or roof deck replacement territory.
3. Ask your roofing company for documentation in plain language. You want labeled photos, marked roof plans, and a clear scope that explains what’s damaged, what’s wet, and what’s being replaced. This helps when filing a claim with the claims adjuster.

FAQs

Can my maintenance team cut the branch off the roof to speed things up?

When it’s unsafe to DIY

If the branch is loaded, tangled, or near electrical lines, don’t do it. Cutting can shift weight and punch through the roof, or drop material onto people and equipment. Maintenance teams can help by securing the area, protecting interiors, and documenting conditions, but leave rigging and removal to a licensed and insured tree crew to maintain structural integrity.

What if the storm was last week and the leak just appeared?

That’s common with storm damage. A fallen tree from the previous week, especially with saturated soil, can create a small opening, then the next rain finds it. Call for an inspection anyway and share your photos and weather data. Roofers can often match impact points to likely leak paths, especially on low-slope assemblies where water travels before it drips inside.

How do I document the damage for insurance without climbing on the roof?

Take ground-level wide shots from all sides, then closer shots of the tree, gutters, downspouts, and any visible membrane or flashing damage from safe vantage points. Inside, photograph ceiling stains, wet walls, and affected inventory. Save maintenance logs and any emergency invoices. A roofing company can supply roof photos and a written scope after safe access is restored.

When does tree roof damage mean I need a full roof replacement?

Signs replacement is more realistic than patching

A full roof replacement becomes more likely when there’s widespread wet insulation, repeated leaks across multiple areas, crushed decking, or extensive membrane tearing from storm damage. Age matters too. If repairs would be scattered and constant, a planned replacement can cost less than chasing leaks, tenant complaints, and interior repairs month after month.

Will emergency tarping or temporary patches void my roof warranty?

It depends on the manufacturer and who performs the work. Many warranties allow temporary emergency measures, but they often require permanent repairs by qualified crews and proper records. Ask your roofer to note materials used, locations repaired, and photos before and after. That paper trail helps protect warranty coverage and supports your claim, much like documentation for a homeowners insurance claim.

Final Takeaway

Windstorms can turn a tree into a wrecking ball, and the first hour matters. Start with the immediate safety steps, then stabilize the tree, then get the roof made water-tight with proper documentation. As a facility manager, addressing storm damage promptly helps prevent further damage. If you treat tree damage on roofs after windstorms like an emergency facilities issue instead of a quick patch job, you’ll protect your people, your tenants, and your building budget.