By Tim Benton, Louisiana Licensed Arborist | Last Updated: July 27, 2026
Metairie sits in one of the more storm-exposed stretches of the Gulf Coast, and every hurricane season brings the same question to homeowners’ minds: who removes trees after a storm, and who is actually on the hook for it? NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic outlook forecasts a below-normal season overall, but still projects 8 to 14 named storms and 1 to 3 major hurricanes for the June through November window, and it only takes one direct hit to turn a healthy live oak into a hazard over your roof.
Knowing who to call for tree removal in Metairie, LA, before the next storm hits can save you time, money, and a lot of stress when you need it most.
The Real Risk of a Storm-Damaged Tree
A storm-damaged tree is not just an eyesore. A large branch blocking your driveway is an inconvenience; a live oak leaning toward your roofline is a real hazard. Louisiana’s Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness specifically calls out falling trees and airborne debris as a leading cause of wind-related property damage during hurricane season, and recommends addressing weak, leaning, or overgrown trees before a storm arrives, not after.
If power lines are tangled in the limbs, or the trunk is resting on a car, fence, or roofline, the job is too dangerous for DIY cleanup. That is when you need a crew that treats storm-damaged tree removal in Metairie and greater New Orleans as routine work, not a first attempt.
Who Is Actually Responsible When a Tree Falls?
This is the question we get asked most after a storm, and the honest answer is more nuanced than most homeowners expect. The general legal principle, and the one most insurance adjusters apply, is that if a healthy tree falls onto a neighboring property during a storm, an “act of God,” removal typically becomes the responsibility of the property it lands on, covered by that owner’s homeowner’s insurance, rather than the tree’s original owner. The exception is negligence: if the tree was already dead, visibly diseased, or a known hazard the owner failed to address, liability can shift back to where the tree started.
For trees in a public right-of-way or on the neutral ground, Jefferson Parish handles removal directly rather than the adjacent homeowner. Jefferson Parish’s Department of Parkways can be reached at (504) 349-5800 for hazardous trees on parish property, or through the parish’s own tree problem reporting page.
Don’t Wait to Call for Emergency Cleanup
Storm cleanup is not something to put off. Calling for emergency tree removal in Metairie as soon as it is safe to do so prevents additional structural damage, restores safe access to your property, and can limit liability exposure if the tree threatens a sidewalk, driveway, or a neighbor’s yard.
Not every storm-damaged tree needs full removal. If a tree is still standing but has broken limbs or storm stress, trimming or cabling can often save it. A licensed arborist can assess whether a tree needs complete removal, partial pruning, or ongoing support to make it through the next storm, the same kind of triage our crew runs on every emergency call across Metairie, Uptown, and Mid-City.
Trust Benton Tree Service for Storm Damage Cleanup
When a tree is down on your car or resting against your roof, you do not want to spend time wondering who removes trees after a storm; you want a crew on the way. Benton Tree Service provides fast, reliable storm damage cleanup and emergency tree removal across Metairie, Uptown, Mid-City, and the greater New Orleans area.
If you are dealing with a tree down right now, our 24/7 emergency tree service is a call away. If you want to know exactly what to do in the first hour after impact, read our guide on what to do when a tree falls on your house, or call us at (504) 896-0820 for a same-day assessment.
What to Expect When You Call Benton Tree Service
Storm response is not a side business for us; it is a core part of how we operate every hurricane season. Our crew has responded to storm damage across Metairie and New Orleans through Katrina, Ida, and Francine, which means we are used to the surge in calls that hits right after a system moves through and we prioritize hazards over routine work during that window: trees on structures, trees blocking a driveway or exit, and trees tangled in power lines move to the front of the line. When you call, expect a straightforward triage: is the tree an active hazard, does it need full removal or can it be saved with trimming and support, and what is the honest, written cost before any work starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for tree removal after a storm in Louisiana?
In most cases, the property the tree lands on is responsible for removal and cleanup through that owner’s homeowner’s insurance, since a storm is treated as an act of God. If the tree was already dead or a known hazard before it fell, the original owner’s negligence can shift liability back to them.
Does homeowners insurance cover a storm-damaged tree in Metairie?
Most standard homeowners policies cover tree removal when the tree damages a covered structure like a house, garage, or fence, though coverage and deductibles vary by policy. Check your specific policy or talk to your agent, since Louisiana wind and hurricane deductibles often work differently than a standard claim.
Who do I call about a fallen tree in the street or a Jefferson Parish right-of-way?
Trees on public right-of-way or neutral ground are the parish’s responsibility, not an adjacent homeowner’s. Contact Jefferson Parish’s Department of Parkways at (504) 349-5800 to report a hazardous tree on parish property.
How fast should I call for emergency tree removal after a storm?
As soon as it is safe to do so. Waiting increases the risk of additional structural damage, water intrusion, and liability exposure if the tree threatens a sidewalk, driveway, or neighboring property.