For most of America, storm season is almost here. With volatile weather comes storm damage — and if you’re a landowner, farmer or arborist, that means time and energy spent chopping and moving downed branches and trees. There’s a way to handle storm cleanup without the strain, though. In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about storm season and how to spend less labor cleaning up after it.
When Is Storm Season?
Storm season’s timing — and its severity — depends on where you live. The heartland tends to see tornadoes throughout the spring and early summer, while the coasts experience hurricanes in the summer and fall.
Hurricane Season
Atlantic hurricane season impacts the Southwest from June through November, peaking around September 10th. The Pacific hurricane season typically runs from May 15th through November 30th, with peak activity in July or September.
The states most directly impacted by hurricanes include Florida, Texas, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia, New York, Mississippi and Virginia. It’s worth noting that hurricanes can also directly affect northeastern states like Massachusetts.
Tornado Season
Tornado season peaks in the spring, with the most frequent and severe storms hitting in April, May and June. About 260 tornadoes occur in May, making it the most tornado-prone month.
The Deep South experiences tornadoes in March through May, while storm season hits the Midwest, especially Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, in April through June. Contrary to popular belief, the southeast does experience tornadoes, first in March and April and again in the fall.
The Great Plains — otherwise known as Tornado Alley — has the highest frequency of strong tornadoes in the country, peaking from April through June. The Northern Plains, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, eastern Montana and parts of Wyoming, have a short but intense tornado season in June and July.
Common Storm Damage
Hurricanes weaken over land but can still produce damaging winds 100–200 miles inland. They frequently spawn tornadoes well inland, adding to the damage footprint. While states like Minnesota — Halverson’s home state — are too far inland for direct hurricane winds, the remnants of Gulf or Atlantic storms can still bring heavy rain. In tornadoes and even common thunderstorms, heavy winds and lightning strikes can leave a mess in their wake.
Storm damage to trees is one of the most common and costly results. That’s because strong winds can whip or twist trees, breaking limbs and causing branches or trunks to fall. They can even uproot entire trees and bring down power lines — often causing secondary damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure. Older trees with decay, weak branch attachments or unbalanced crowns are likely to break.
Storm damage isn’t limited to warm weather, either. In the winter, ice accumulation adds enormous weight to branches. Even ¼- to ½-inch of ice can cause significant tree damage. Wet, heavy snow increases limb weight, especially on broad-crowned or horizontally branched trees. Saturated soil, combined with wind, can loosen or break roots, causing storm-damaged trees to lean or uproot entirely.
Storm Damage Cleanup Best Practices
Storm cleanup can be dangerous for many reasons. But by following standard safety guidelines and using the proper tools, you can tackle the task yourself.
Start With Safety
Check for downed power lines and keep at least 35 feet away from them. Inspect trees for hazards like hanging limbs, split trunks and tensioned branches (often referred to as “widowmakers”). Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, boots, eye protection, hearing protection and chainsaw chaps if you’re cutting. If a tree is more than 20 feet tall, it’s best to call a certified arborist.
Document Everything Before Touching It
This matters for insurance, contractors and future claims. Take wide-angle photos of each area. Then capture close-ups of damage, serial numbers and structural issues. Make sure you record dates, times and weather conditions.
Prioritize Tasks
- Begin by making the site safe. Remove debris blocking exits, driveways or emergency access and stabilize anything that’s leaning, sagging or at risk of falling.
- Next, pump out any standing water and remove wet materials within 24-48 hours to prevent mold.
- Clear fallen trees and limbs, starting with small loose debris. Remove medium branches before tackling large limbs or trunks, especially any limbs or trunks that are under tension.
Chainsaws and Tree Cleanup
Chainsaws are a significant source of injuries, with about 70 people visiting emergency rooms with chainsaw injuries each day. The most common forms of damage are deep open wounds to the extremities, fractures and tissue lacerations.
Follow these tips to reduce your risk of harm when cutting storm-damaged trees:
- When working with a chainsaw, plan every cut and identify compression and tension zones.
- Never cut above your shoulders.
- Use wedges to prevent chainsaw bar pinching.
- Start at the top of the debris pile and work your way down. Never start at the bottom!
- Create a debris staging area so you don’t have to handle the material twice.
- Keep the chain sharp and well-oiled. A dull chain is dangerous and slow.
Debris Storage and Disposal
Sorting debris early saves time and effort later.
| Material | Best Practices |
| Branches and Logs | Cut to uniform lengths and stack safely. Consider chipping or cutting into firewood or shavings |
| Construction Debris | Separate wood, metal, shingles and drywall |
| Hazardous Waste | Take paint, chemicals, batteries, etc. to proper disposal sites |
| Electronics | Separate for e-waste recycling |
Why Grapple Saws are the Best Tools for Storm Cleanup
Maximum Safety
The operator stays safely in the host machine’s cab — no climbing storm-damaged trees. This remote control keeps workers away from unstable limbs, widowmakers and tensioned wood, while the grapple saw eliminates the risks associated with handheld chainsaws.
Fast, Controlled Removal
Grapple saws firmly grip the tree, limbs, multi-stems or brush while cutting and transporting the debris to its designated collection or storage area. They make cleanup of storm-damaged neighborhoods or acreage faster and require less manual labor.
One-Person Operation
A single operator can lift, cut, transport and load debris, reducing labor requirements during high-demand storm events.
Efficient Debris Handling
With grapple saws, there's no need for manual handling. The attachment picks up, cuts, and transports logs, limbs, and tangled debris, speeding cleanup and reducing fatigue and injury risk for storm cleanup crews working long hours.
Safer Storm Cleanup Starts Here
Halverson Wood Products offers multiple solutions for dealing with storm-damaged trees. The HWP-200 GS and its new big brother, the HWP-275 GS, can help you clear debris faster and with less effort. Our firewood processors and shuttle shavers can turn the downed limbs and trees into firewood, livestock bedding and mulch.
Contact the Halverson sales team to discuss which grapple saw and other firewood processors will provide the best storm-damaged wood solutions for you.