Storm and emergency tree service in Chemung County is shaped by the weather this valley has seen. On July 26, 2012, an EF-1 tornado with winds of 100 to 110 mph cut through west Elmira and downtown along Church Street. In January 2024, strong winds left about 5,700 NYSEG customers in the Ithaca Division, which includes Chemung, without power as limbs and wires came down.
When a tree fails, you need to know what happens next. Tubbs Tree Service, based in Spencer in neighboring Tioga County, offers two emergency tiers for Elmira, Horseheads, Southport, Big Flats and the rest of the county. Both fees are credited toward the work. If the danger is not urgent, a standard $50 consultation with Jason is the better place to start.
Two Ways to Get Help
- Emergency Assessment, $300: someone is on site the next business day to assess the damage and give you a quote.
- Emergency Response, $5,000 minimum: a crew and equipment are dispatched immediately to reduce the risk.
- Both fees are credited toward the job you approve.
If a Tree Is on a Wire
Stay back and keep everyone else back. Assume any downed wire is live. Call 911 and NYSEG. Tubbs does not work on energized lines, so the crew can only start once the utility has made the line safe. After that, the tree can be cleared from your house, yard or drive.
On rural roads in Chemung, Catlin and Van Etten, a tree across a wire can also block the only way in or out. Report the road blockage to 911 as well, and let NYSEG know if poles are leaning or broken.
First Steps After the Wind Drops
- Get people and pets out of rooms under a damaged tree or hanging limb.
- Take photos of the damage before anything is moved.
- Do not climb onto a roof or try to cut a loaded trunk yourself.
- Call your insurer to ask about coverage, then call Tubbs at (607) 375-7681.
Why Flood-Softened Ground Matters in a Storm
The Chemung River set its Elmira record of 25.2 feet during the June 1972 Agnes flood. Wet soil on low ground near the river and Newtown Creek gives roots less grip, and a tree that rode out dry storms may topple after days of rain. If you see a new lean after heavy rain, book an assessment before the next wind.
Storm & Emergency Tree Service Questions From Chemung County
How soon can someone get to my Horseheads house after a storm?
That depends on the tier you choose. An Emergency Assessment puts someone on site the next business day to assess and quote, for $300. An Emergency Response, with a $5,000 minimum, sends a crew and equipment immediately. Both are credited toward the job, so pick the one that fits the danger.
Will my homeowner’s insurance pay to remove a tree that fell on my house?
Coverage varies by policy and situation, so check with your insurer directly. Photos of the damage before cleanup and the itemized plan from Tubbs can help when you talk with them. Tubbs cannot advise on your claim, but can give you a clear written description of the work.
A tree came down on the NYSEG line along my road in Van Etten. What do I do?
Stay far back and keep others away, since the wire may be live. Call 911 and NYSEG right away. Once NYSEG has made the line safe, call Tubbs at (607) 375-7681 to clear the tree from your property. Tubbs does not work on energized lines.
Want the full picture? Read our storm & emergency tree service guide, or see everything we do in Chemung County.