Who to Call About Downed Trees, Wires in Fairfax County

The Northern Virginia area saw high winds that blew up to 60 MPH overnight and Monday morning. If you experienced fallen trees or wires, Fairfax County is offering some tips for you to follow:

If a tree falls, then who do you call? Here’s a list of who to contact if you see a downed tree or wires:

1.) Life-Threatening

• If there’s an immediate life-safety issue, call or text 9-1-1.
• If a tree falls into your home:
  1. Get everyone safely out of your house. Use your cellphone or go to a neighbor’s house and call 9-1-1.
  2. Stay away from the home until public safety employees can access your home for structural safety (as well as ensuring your utilities are OK or should be turned off.)
  3. Only after all of these safety measures should you then call your insurance company.

2.) Power Lines

• Of course, NEVER touch a downed wire.
• Dominion Power: 1-866-366-4357 or online at www.dom.com/outage-center.
• NOVEC: 1-888-335-0500 or online at www.novec.com/stormcenter.

3.) Roads

• Call the Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-367-7623, TTY 711, or use VDOT’s online reporting form.

4.) Sidewalks

• Check out our online map of who maintains sidewalks to find out who’s responsible to remove trees/tree limbs. Most sidewalks are VDOT’s responsibility, so call 1-800-367-7623, TTY 711, or use VDOT’s online reporting form.

4.) Fairfax County Government/Schools

• County Government buildings: 703-324-2055, TTY 711.
• Fairfax County Park Authority property: 703-324-8594, TTY 711
• Fairfax County Public Schools property: 703-764-2429, TTY 711

5.) Private Property

• Removal is the property owner’s responsibility. We suggest direct communication with your neighbor, then we recommend contacting a professional, licensed arborist to inspect the tree. The county has no authority in civil issues like downed trees.

6.) Posing Hazard to Public Areas

• Contact Fairfax County Urban Forestry at 703-324-1770, TTY 703-324-1877.

A final note: Beware of tree trimming scams that continue to plague the area.

PHOTO from Patch archive