After a Storm in Knoxville: What to Do About Fallen or Damaged Trees

If someone is hurt or has touched a power line, call 911. This page is general information for homeowners, not legal, insurance or safety-engineering advice. Follow instructions from KUB, emergency officials and your insurer. Last reviewed October 2026.

2. Downed power lines: what to tell KUB

KUB serves Knox County and parts of seven surrounding counties. If a different utility powers your home, use the number on your bill.

• Report fallen, low-hanging or smoking wires right away to KUB at 865-524-2911. Note the location, stay away, and don't approach a tree that is leaning on lines.
• Outages report themselves. KUB says outages are reported automatically; you can check status on KUB's outage map or app, or by calling 865-524-2911.
• If a person touches a line, call 911 and don't touch them. If you're in a vehicle that's in contact with a line, KUB says to stay inside.
• Don't move limbs off downed equipment yourself. KUB asks customers not to move limbs away from downed utility equipment.
• The line to your house is partly your job. KUB doesn't prune or remove trees around a service line serving only one customer. If a tree or limb tears down that line, the property owner is responsible for clearing the tree and repairing damaged service equipment before KUB reconnects.
• KUB will lower the service line at no cost so you or your contractor can work safely. Damage to customer-owned equipment, such as the weatherhead, service cables and meter socket, calls for a qualified electrician. When the work is done, call KUB at 865-524-2911 or 1-800-250-8068 so they can restore service.

Source: KUB, Electric System (service area)

Source: KUB, Who's Responsible for Tree Work When the Electric Lines to Your House Are Damaged? (PDF)

Source: KUB, Power Outage Guide

Source: KUB, Utility Safety Guidelines

Source: KUB, Electrical Service Repair: Responsibilities of KUB and Customers (PDF)

4. Is it an emergency, or can it wait?

Treat it as urgent when a tree is on or near a power line (call KUB or 911 first), when a tree has opened your roof or walls to the weather, or when broken limbs are hanging over a door, driveway or walkway. Our emergency tree removal page covers that situation.

It can often wait for a scheduled estimate when a tree is down in an open part of the yard, away from lines and buildings. Some damaged trees don't need removing at all:

• The Tennessee Division of Forestry says trees with minor damage can often recover if their structure is intact, and warns against removing a tree too hastily. Trees that have lost their leaves can sometimes recover as the season goes on.
• Trees with major damage to the trunk or root system may need to be removed.
• UT Extension says broken branches generally don't affect a tree's survival unless more than half of the crown is involved. A tree that has lost more than 50% of its crown has poor odds.
• Permits: Knoxville's tree ordinance lets the Urban Forester waive its requirements during windstorms, ice storms and other emergencies, and trees on city property or the right-of-way need the Urban Forester's approval. Check the permit guide for your city before work starts.

Source: KUB, Who's Responsible for Tree Work When the Electric Lines to Your House Are Damaged? (PDF)

Source: Tennessee Dept. of Commerce & Insurance, Disasters

Source: OSHA, Working Safely with Chainsaws (PDF)

Source: TN Division of Forestry, Severe Storms: Readiness, Response & Recovery

Source: UT Extension SP 575, Storm-Damaged Residential Trees: Assessment, Care and Prevention (PDF)

Source: Knoxville City Code, Chapter 14 (Trees), City-hosted copy

6. When to call a professional

• Big trees, work off the ground, or anything near a house or line. UT Extension says to call a qualified arborist when a tree is large and the work is off the ground. The Division of Forestry adds that tree removal is dangerous, especially near structures or power lines.
• Know when a job is beyond you. OSHA lists higher-risk chainsaw work, including trees with a heavy lean, trees with stem or root rot, trees known to split, and cutting above shoulder height or from a ladder. UT Extension warns that broken limbs are often under tension and can kick back during cutting.
• Near KUB lines, KUB says a private tree service you hire to prune near its lines must be qualified to work around electric lines, and asks you to call KUB Vegetation Management at 865-558-6658 first.
• Vet anyone you hire. UT Extension suggests checking references, getting more than one estimate, and making sure the service carries insurance for property damage, liability and workers' compensation. TDCI also suggests verifying a contractor's license at verify.tn.gov, not paying more than a third up front, getting debris removal in writing, and being wary of door-to-door offers.
• Cost: see the cost guide for what affects the price, including emergency work.

Source: UT Extension SP 575, Storm-Damaged Residential Trees: Assessment, Care and Prevention (PDF)

Source: TN Division of Forestry, Severe Storms: Readiness, Response & Recovery

Source: OSHA, Working Safely with Chainsaws (PDF)

Source: KUB, Tree Pruning FAQ

Source: Tennessee Dept. of Commerce & Insurance, Disasters