Monday, April 10, 2023 1:45 p.m
Storms in North Carolina can uproot trees, which could damage your property or hurt someone you love.
Trees in our state are often surrounded by natural areas filled with trees.
Before severe weather hits, it’s a good idea to take a look at which trees could pose a threat. This is pretty easy: just look for big trees that might hit your house if they fall over.
Next, examine the tree and look for any exposed roots or cracked soil. That’s a sign the tree may have a shallow root system, meaning it’s more prone to tipping over in high winds.
Another thing to look out for is a tree that is leaning. That’s a potential red flag. If it has a V or U shaped trunk, that’s another red flag. Trees with V or U shaped trunks have more weak points and uneven weight distribution. All of these things make it more likely that a tree will fall over during a storm.
Once you’ve determined which trees are at higher risk of falling, you need to identify which part of your home is at risk.
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Any area of your home that could be hit by a falling tree should be an area of your home that you avoid during severe weather.
About 100 people die each year from falling trees.
If you have a tree in your yard that you are concerned about, you can pay to have the tree cut down. However, depending on the size of the tree, this can cost thousands of dollars.
If a tree you are concerned about is on city property, contact your city office and ask if they will remove it. Most likely they will send someone to assess the risk of the tree and decide if it should be removed.
The bottom line is that even in mild storms, trees in central North Carolina can topple over. It’s important that you and your family know what to look out for and how to protect yourself.
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