Tree Services: What to Do After Storm Damage in the First 24 Hours

Step One: Prioritise Safety Above Everything Else

Stay away from damaged trees until a professional has assessed them. A storm-struck tree may look stable but can shift, split, or fall without notice. This is especially true on rural properties around Terang, where red gums, blue gums, and old shelter belts can hold hidden structural failures after high winds.

Before approaching any area where trees have come down, check for the following:

• Downed or sagging powerlines near fallen limbs: contact your electricity provider immediately and keep everyone away.
• Leaning trees that have partially uprooted, which can topple long after the wind has eased.
• Cracked or split trunks that appear intact from a distance but are under tension.
• Damage to outbuildings, fences, or your roof that may be obscured by fallen debris.

If there is any doubt, treat the area as a danger zone and wait for a qualified arborist before re-entering.

What Should You Document Before Calling for Help?

Once you are confident it is safe to move around the property, take clear photos and short videos of every affected tree from multiple angles. Note each tree's location relative to structures, fences, and boundaries. Thorough documentation may support an insurance claim.



Keep records of the time and date the storm occurred, any visible contact between fallen limbs and structures or utilities, neighbouring trees that may have shifted or been weakened, and any pre-existing conditions such as hollow trunks that the storm may have worsened. Having this information ready also helps tree services providers respond more efficiently on site.

Call a Qualified Arborist Promptly

A professional can safely assess which trees can be retained with corrective pruning and which pose too much ongoing risk. They can also identify storm-related stress that is not visible to the untrained eye, such as root zone damage or internal decay exposed by a split trunk.



Resist the urge to attempt your own clean-up with a chainsaw or ladder. Working around storm-damaged trees without proper training and equipment significantly increases the risk of injury, particularly on rural Terang properties with large established trees and limited neighbouring assistance.

What if a Tree Has Fallen on a Structure?

Do not attempt to remove a tree that has fallen on your home, shed, or vehicle yourself. The weight and tension in storm-damaged timber can shift unpredictably. Contact your insurer first to understand your cover, then call qualified tree services that can work safely alongside any trades needed for structural repairs.

What About Trees Leaning Over Fences or Boundaries?

Act promptly by informing your neighbour and calling an arborist for an assessment. This demonstrates reasonable care and may be relevant if liability questions arise. Local regulations under the Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act can apply, so understanding your obligations early is worthwhile. Reputable tree services providers can advise on what work is needed and help you act within your legal responsibilities.

Temporary Measures While You Wait

After a widespread storm event, qualified help may not arrive immediately. There are reasonable temporary steps you can take while waiting, provided it is safe to do so:

• Place clear barriers around hazardous areas to keep children, pets, and visitors away.
• Cover openings in your roof or outbuildings with a tarpaulin if debris has created an entry point for rain.
• Do not move heavy limbs resting against a structure, as removing them may cause further collapse.
• Keep a record of anyone who enters the property and what they observe, which may assist your insurer.

These measures are about reducing further risk, not resolving the underlying hazard.

Think About the Health of Surviving Trees

Storm events often cause damage that is not immediately obvious. Trees near a fallen specimen may have suffered root disturbance, bark scraping from swinging limbs, or compaction from foot traffic during the clean-up. A professional assessment of surrounding trees can identify developing health issues early.

Older and larger trees in the Terang district that have withstood decades of coastal-influenced weather can still sustain hidden damage during unusually severe events. Scheduling follow-up tree services a few weeks after the initial clean-up is a sound investment in long-term tree health. A tree maintenance assessment at this stage allows a qualified arborist to catch secondary issues before they escalate.

Get Expert Help When You Need It Most

When storm damage strikes your Terang, VIC, property, Colac Trees is the qualified, fully insured team to call. Serving Terang and the surrounding Corangamite Shire, the team offers professional tree services including storm damage assessment, safe tree removal, and corrective pruning. Call 0488 553 650 for prompt assistance, or request a free quote online. You can also find and review the business via Colac Trees on Google.