MACON, Ga. — Hurricanes create strong winds. As a result, trees can fall down on roads, homes and active power lines.
John King said he loves the trees in his front yard, but with Hurricane Helene on the way, it feels like a risk.
"I'm definitely worried,” King said. “I'm planning to just go to my mom's in Warner Robins, because if you look around, there's trees all over my house. I've already had several trees cut down, but there's still a lot that are concerning. So, definitely not going to be here to witness all that if they do come down.”
Keene Tree Service owner Aaron Keene said there's less to worry about if you are doing preventive maintenance to the trees on your property. He said the cost to fix the damage fallen trees cause after a storm is much higher.
"You could be looking from anywhere between $3-4,000 up to $20,000," he said.
He said the cost depends on the size of the fallen trees, how many there are and what it takes to get them off the home safely without causing further damage.
Keene said trees naturally want to grow toward sunlight. But that means a tree could lean in the direction of your home. He said in those situations, it's a good idea to get them removed or adjusted before a big storm hits.
And when you see fallen trees on the side of the road, do not go near them.
"You don't know if it's taken down an energized line,” Keene said. “Trees have pressure points on them. We always advise our customers to not try to cut the tree themselves. Call a professional."
Keene said trees can be heavy too, so leave it to the professionals to pick up debris with their equipment.
Keene said tree service crews like his will be around tomorrow helping to remove fallen trees. He said it's good to be patient and find a different route if trees block your usual path.