If a tree falls in Cambria, who should hear about it?

When a tree falls in Cambria … then what?

Lots of people learned the answer the hard way on March 6 and 7, when a “wall of wind” hit the North Coast, toppling many trees, breaking limbs and generally making a mess. Fortunately, few homes were hit and firefighters said damage was generally minimal.

But … what if? What if a falling tree had sliced through your house?

First and foremost, call 911. Immediately.

Tell the dispatcher your address, closest cross street, phone number and whether anybody is injured. Describe succinctly what has happened, including whether a roadway is blocked, power lines are down and what damage the falling tree caused.

Officials say those emergency calls are crucial, especially if someone is injured, a home was hit or the falling tree is blocking a roadway or has hit or taken down utility wires.

Yes, your call to 911 means emergency responders will arrive soon, but your prompt call also can be vital for public safety.

Those dispatchers and responding agencies need to know where all the trouble spots are. Sometimes, a downed tree that’s not “on the list” can be a matter of life or death.

How so? During an emergency or disaster, our fire station often converts into an emergency communications center — a clearing house for fire, ambulance, utility and road crews. Dispatchers gather information and triage the situations, so various emergency crews can be assigned to the most crucial incidents first. Responders assess the situation, determine whether a damaged home is safe to occupy, turn off utilities, block off danger zones so nobody gets electrocuted, open evacuation routes and much more.

It’s like a scary ballet. But life or death?

After one wind-and-rain onslaught here in 2010, medics were dispatched to a serious medical call.

They couldn’t get through on the obvious, direct route because downed trees and branches had blocked the road.

Nobody had called officials about the obstruction, and the tree-blocked roadway delayed their arrival. If someone had reported it, informed medics could have taken an alternate route.

That call wasn’t a life-threatening situation — but it could have been.

And that patient could have been you.

So make the call, even if you think the fallen tree is no big deal. Let the experts make that decision.

Now, back to the “tree on your house” scenario. After the 911 call, then what?

No injuries? Wonderful! Except you still have a tree as indoor decor, and dealing with the situation isn’t easy, especially in a howling rainstorm at 2 a.m.

If someone’s injured, tend to that person. If there’s structural damage to the home, then grab your “go bag,” pets and your vehicle keys. Then you and everybody else get out of the house, and stay out until officials tell you it’s safe to go back in.

Here’s some other advice from firefighters, websites and other sources:

▪ Call your insurance company immediately, leaving a detailed voicemail if necessary.

▪ Take pictures or video of the damage if you can, preferably before and after crews remove the tree.

▪ Firefighters and your insurer also can help you find contractors to cover the roof and board up broken windows, damage-repair service, tree-cutting firm, roofers and more. Firefighters also may be able to rig temporary tarps over holes in the roof and broken windows.

▪ If you can stay in your house, make the area as waterproof as possible to protect valuables, furniture and vulnerable elements (hardwood flooring, for instance).

▪ If you can’t stay there but can go in for valuables, do what you can to secure and protect things you can’t take. Grab your “go bag,” (medicines, spare eyeglasses, clothing, cash), computer and other electronics (and chargers!), umbrella, raincoats and extra pairs of shoes, things you’ll need to get through the next few days.

Yes, you can buy stuff if you have to, but some things aren’t available in Cambria, especially at 2 a.m.

And please note: If a hazardous tree belonging to someone else is threatening your home, you should do this now: Contact the tree’s owners and tell them about the hazard. (Don’t know who owns the property? Check with the county Assessor’s Office.)

Then call and write your homeowners’ insurance company about the situation, which becomes a “known hazard.” That, and whether the tree was dead or alive, can affect whose policy covers the damage.

Let’s face it. In Cambria, it’s not a matter of whether a tree will fall. The issue is when, where it will land and what to do about it afterwards.

I hope this information is helpful. But I fervently hope that you’ll never have to use it.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 11:45 AM with the headline "If a tree falls in Cambria, who should hear about it?."