Storm Damage Cleanup in Hanford, CA

What to look for after a storm

The usual signs are a large branch on the ground, a limb hanging at an angle that says it's barely attached, a tree leaning after the wind, or new cracks in a trunk. Debris on fences, roofs, and lawns is the other common one. Newly planted or stressed trees are worth a second look, since they have less to fall back on than an established tree.

Large broken or hanging limbs, and any cut that means climbing or running a chainsaw overhead, belong to a qualified professional. Stay off the ladder. A limb that's hanging can drop when you touch it, and the person under it is you.

How we work through a storm damage job

We walk the property first and sort what's standing, what's hanging, and what's already on the ground. The hanging limbs get dealt with first, then the rest of the debris.

For work aloft we use an aerial lift or bucket truck where the site allows it. Where it doesn't, we climb with fall-protection equipment. Once the limbs are down, we chip the branches that are suitable for chipping and collect, stack, or haul away what's left, so you aren't stuck with a pile in the yard.

What storm cleanup costs

There's no flat price for storm work, because no two storms leave the same mess. The scope depends on how many trees are involved, how big the limbs are, and whether the debris is in one spot or spread across the property.

Timing is the one piece we can put a number on. Emergency service outside regular business hours after a storm carries an additional charge of $100 to $150 per hour. If the damage can safely wait for the next business day, you don't pay it. We'll go over the scope with you before we start.

Hanford conditions that change the job

Street flooding is Hanford's main flood problem, so after a heavy storm we check for standing water and drainage problems before we stage equipment or plan the haul-out. If a yard is under water, we won't drive a truck into it and make things worse. Flat ground and sandy-loam soil usually mean easy footing, but pooled water changes that.

The climate is semiarid, with long hot summers (about 2,200 cooling degree days a year). Trees that took storm damage and are newly planted or already stressed may need attention through the dry stretches that follow, so mention those when you call.