Tioga County has seen its share of tree-wrecking weather: river floods in Owego, a tornado near Barton, and wet, heavy snow that knocked out power for thousands. When a storm brings a tree down, you need a clear answer on what happens next and what it costs to get started.
Tubbs offers two emergency tiers. Emergency Assessment puts Jason Tubbs on site the next business day to evaluate the damage and quote the work. Emergency Response sends a crew and equipment immediately to reduce the risk. Both fees are credited toward the job. For problems that are serious but not urgent, the regular $50 consultation is still the right start.
Storms that have hit Tioga County
In September 2011, Tropical Storm Lee pushed the Susquehanna at Owego to a record 39.62 feet, with 11.24 inches of rain at Tioga Terrace. On July 26, 2012, an EF-1 tornado with 100 mph winds touched down near Barton. On January 9, 2024, strong wind gusts left about 5,700 customers out in NYSEG’s Ithaca Division, with downed wires and tree limbs. And on November 22, 2024, wet heavy snow cut power to about 7,700 customers in the Binghamton Division, which includes Tioga.
Two ways to get help
- Emergency Assessment, $300: Jason on site the next business day to assess the damage and quote the work.
- Emergency Response, $5,000 minimum: crew and equipment dispatched immediately to mitigate the risk.
- Both fees are credited toward the job.
- Call (607) 375-7681 or visit our emergency tree service page.
If a tree is touching a wire
- Stay back and keep everyone, including pets, away from the tree and the wire.
- Call 911.
- Call your utility: NYSEG for most of Tioga County, or the Village of Waverly municipal electric utility if Waverly serves you.
- Once the utility has made the line safe, call Tubbs for the tree.
What to do before the crew arrives
- Get everyone out of rooms under a damaged roof.
- Take photos from a safe distance for your records.
- Do not try to cut a tree under tension, especially with a chainsaw.
- Check with your insurer about coverage and what they need from you.
After the immediate danger is handled
Once the urgent part is done, there is usually more to sort out: hangers left in the crown, split trees that survived but will not last, and wood scattered across the yard. Jason can fold that cleanup into a plan with options, from making things safe to a full restoration of the area, with the wood going to local use.
Storm & Emergency Tree Service Questions From Tioga County
How soon can someone come out after a storm?
It depends on the tier you choose. Emergency Assessment, $300, puts Jason on site the next business day to assess and quote. Emergency Response, with a $5,000 minimum, dispatches a crew and equipment immediately. Both fees are credited toward the work. For non-urgent damage, request a $50 consultation online.
Will my homeowners insurance pay for the tree cleanup?
Coverage varies by policy and by what the tree damaged, so check with your insurer directly. Photos of the damage before cleanup are useful. Jason’s itemized plan gives you a clear breakdown of the work, which can help when you talk with your insurance company.
A tree fell across my driveway in Candor but missed the house. Is that an emergency?
If you can get in and out another way and nothing is at risk, an Emergency Assessment or even a regular consultation may be enough. If the tree blocks your only access, is hung up on another tree, or is pressing on a structure, Emergency Response is the faster path. Call us and we will help you decide.
Want the full picture? Read our storm & emergency tree service guide, or see everything we do in Tioga County.