Storm Damage Management for Municipal Trees

Storms are an inevitable occurrence in life. With the potential for flooding, high winds, lightning, snow or ice, storms can cause potential safety hazards or property damage. Mitigating the impacts from storms is especially important in urban and community forests where people work, live, and play. For communities, managing trees is an important part of storm preparation and improving community resiliency.

Planning for Storms

Developing a Storm Management Plan

Help your community organize important information and get prepared for future storms by referencing the Community Forest Storm Mitigation Planning Workbook and Template to develop a plan. For help with filling in the workbook and template, contact your local DEC office.

• Community Forest Storm Mitigation Workbook (PDF)
• Community Forest Storm Mitigation Template (PDF)

Thank you to the Georgia Forestry Commission for sharing their original documents for New York State to utilize.

Developing a Tree Risk Management Plan

Communities are strongly encouraged to have a tree risk assessment plan in place to address the potential hazards trees can present. A tree risk management plan or policy should provide guidance for a community to evaluate and document the status of their trees, and the steps the community takes to address and remove trees that present a potential hazard. A tree risk management plan involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential hazards posed by trees to ensure safety and protect property. This includes regular inspections, risk assessments, and implementing control measures like pruning or removal. Risk management plans demonstrate that the community is taking its legal obligation to care for its infrastructure and keep its residents safe seriously. An effective hazard tree risk assessment program can provide a basis for defense in a lawsuit.

Resources:

• USFS Urban Tree Risk Management: A Community Guide to Program Design and Implementation
• USFS Tree Risk Management Program
• USFS Tree Owners Manual (PDF)
• International Society of Arboriculture’s Managing Hazards and Risk

Managing Storm Damage

Before the Storm: Preventing Storm Damage

Before a storm there are a number of things that can be done to prevent tree damage or injury. Tree care often reduces damage during a storm because healthier trees are less likely to be damaged. Preventative tree care includes:

• Proper planting site selection;
• Choosing the right tree for the right place;
• Regular tree assessments, especially for unhealthy or older trees;
• Regular pruning of dead or hazardous tree branches;
• Treatment and prevention of pests or disease; and
• Avoiding root damage while digging or during construction.

Learn more about best practices for tree planting and tree care to help prevent tree problems.

Just before a storm you should encourage residents to remove property from under trees and avoid parking under trees to reduce the chance of damage.

During the Storm: Staying Safe

During a storm there are several ways to keep residents safe. The following guidelines are a great start to communicating storm safety to residents:

• Encourage residents to watch or listen to local news or weather channels for updates;
• Ahead of high wind, rain, snow, and lightning stay indoors and close windows;
• Share the location of storm safe shelters at outdoor venues;
• Have clearly marked evacuation routes and heating/cooling centers;
• Encourage residents to have a temporary evacuation plan and be prepared for power outages; and
• Remind residents to call emergency services for emergencies such as a tree that is blocking a road.

Communities should ensure their emergency routes are kept clear of trees and tree debris. Resources for Storm Preparedness for communities and their residents include: 

• New York Department of Financial Services Storm Preparedness
• New York Department of Health Storm Preparedness and Recovery
• New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

After the Storm: Clean Up, Tree Care, and Replanting

After a storm has passed, communities can assess damages to trees and property. The most important thing is not to panic and communicate ongoing post storm maintenance and follow up to residents. Damaged trees do not necessarily need to be removed as trees can often heal from damage. Remind residents to call emergency services or 911 for immediate issues like downed trees on buildings and roads. Some points to keep in mind after a storm are:

• Conduct a 360° visual inspection of trees: look for broken limbs, snagged or hanging limbs, newly tipped or leaning trees, and raised soil around the trunk as these issues may need to be assessed by an arborist or tree care professional;
• stay away from damaged powerlines and call your utility company to report downed lines or trees touching lines;
• maintain a safe distance from damaged limbs, hanging branches, and leaning trees;
• encourage residents to take pictures of any property damage for insurance purposes;
• once safe, clean up any debris; Communities should be familiar with the NYSDEC Disaster Debris Management Planning (PDF) and FEMA’s Public Assistant Program and Policy Guide – which includes sections on debris management.
• Coordinate municipal services for branch pick-up days and debris management
• call an arborist or tree care professional for individual damaged trees;
• Or contact a forester for large areas of tree damage; and
• replant in areas where trees were removed.

Often trees reduce the impact of storms by absorbing storm water and acting as wind breaks. If a tree needs to be removed after a storm, consider replacing it with another tree to mitigate the impacts of future storms. An arborist can assist in tree selection, planting, and management to help ensure new trees stay healthy and are more resilient to storms. Good tree care will help reduce the cost of storm damage from downed limbs and trees.