Downed power line, fire, gas smell or someone hurt? Call 911 first and stay at least 35 feet from any wire.
Omaha · Storm damage
Storm Damage Tree Removal in Omaha
When a storm line crosses Omaha with 80 mph gusts, thousands of properties need tree work on the same morning. Knowing how crews prioritize, and who is allowed to do the work, gets yours handled sooner and safely.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
What the July 2024 storm taught
After the July 31, 2024 windstorm, the power district had more customers out than at any time in its history. Line crews could not restore many circuits until trees were cut away, and tree crews could not touch trees tangled in lines until the utility made them safe. Each waited on the other, street by street.
Homeowners who fared best had done two things beforehand: removed dead limbs and weak trees before summer, and kept the name of a licensed arborist they had used before. Existing customers were called back first.
Out-of-town crews arrived within a day. Some were excellent. Others had no city license and no insurance, and left half-finished jobs.
What to do after the storm, in order
Treat every wire as live
Report downed lines to the power district and stay far back.
Get people out from under damage
If a tree is on the roof, leave those rooms.
Document
Photographs from several angles before any cutting.
Call your insurer and an arborist
Say what the tree is on. Structures and blocked access go to the front of the line.
Check the city license
Before you sign with anyone, including crews from elsewhere.
How tree crews prioritize after a regional storm
| Priority | Situation | Typical response |
|---|---|---|
| First | Tree on a house with people displaced, or blocking the only access | Same day to two days |
| Second | Tree on a garage, vehicle or fence. Large hangers over a walk. | Several days |
| Third | Trees down in the yard, not on anything | One to three weeks |
| Last | Stumps, corrective pruning, cosmetic cleanup | A month or more |
Damage that is easy to miss
A tree leaning slightly that was straight before
Check the soil on the windward side for a crack or bulge.
Twisted trunks
Spiral cracks in the bark of silver maple, hackberry and linden.
Limbs cracked on top but still attached
Look for a pale line of fresh wood.
Roots lifted under the sidewalk
The slab has tilted where it was flat.
Trees and power lines
- Act now
A tree is on the primary lines along the street or alley
The power district clears it. Private crews may not.
- Act now
A tree pulled down the service line to your house
Report it. The meter mast and wiring on the house may need an electrician before power is restored.
- This week
Limbs rest on cable or phone lines only
A tree crew can usually work around them. Tell the provider.
- Plan it
The utility cut a tree to free its lines and left the wood
That is normal. Removing the wood is the owner's job.
Licensing still applies after a storm
Omaha's arborist license requirement is not suspended in an emergency. Anyone trimming or removing trees for pay in the city needs it, and the Parks Department's published list is the place to check.
After large storms the city has opened drop-off sites for tree debris for residents. Locations and dates are announced by the city, and commercial haulers are usually handled separately.
Trees in the street right-of-way remain subject to city approval for removal, though clearing a fallen one from the street is done first and sorted out afterward.
Omaha storm cleanup questions
Does the City of Omaha remove trees that fell on private property?
No. The city clears public streets and handles public trees. Trees on private lots are the owner's responsibility.
Where can I take storm branches in Omaha?
After significant storms the city has opened temporary debris drop-off sites. Check city announcements for current locations.
Why hasn't the power company removed the tree it cut?
Utilities cut only what is needed to make lines safe and restore service. The wood stays for the owner to remove.
Is it safe to hire an out-of-state crew after a storm in Omaha?
Only if they hold the Omaha arborist license and can show insurance. Many reputable firms travel for storms and obtain the license. Those without it are working illegally.
Storm Damage Tree Removal help in Omaha
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in Omaha, NE.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day