Austin storms don’t mess around. One severe thunderstorm or unexpected ice event can turn a perfectly good fence into a pile of broken wood in your backyard. If you’re staring at storm damage right now, you probably have a lot of questions and want to get things fixed as quickly as possible. We’re going to walk you through exactly what to do.
We’re Austin Fence Company, and we handle storm damage fence replacements throughout the Austin area. After major storms, our phones ring constantly. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners recover from weather damage, and we know how to move quickly when you need your property secured.
Need emergency fence service after storm damage? Call us at (512) 900-5735. We prioritize storm damage calls.
What to Do Immediately After Storm Damage
Before you call anyone, handle these basics:
Document everything. Take photos and video of all damage before touching anything. Walk the entire fence line and capture every angle. Get close-ups of broken posts, fallen sections, and any trees or debris involved. This documentation is critical for insurance claims.
Check for hazards. Look for downed power lines near or touching your fence. If you see any, stay away and call Austin Energy immediately. Also, watch for hanging branches that could fall and sharp debris that could cause injuries.
Secure your property temporarily. If sections are down and you have pets or security concerns, you may need a temporary solution. Some homeowners use tarps and stakes, temporary wire fencing from hardware stores, or even strategically parked vehicles. This doesn’t have to be pretty. It just needs to work until the real fence goes up.
Notify your insurance company. File a claim as soon as possible. Insurance companies are flooded with claims after major storms, and earlier filings are typically processed faster. Have your photos ready and be prepared to describe the damage.
Common Types of Storm Damage We See in Austin
Austin weather creates specific patterns of fence damage:
Wind damage. High winds during thunderstorms can push entire fence sections over, especially privacy fences that act like sails. Sometimes the pickets survive, but posts snap at ground level. Other times, the whole structure comes down like dominoes. We see this constantly after the spring storm season.
Falling trees and branches. Austin’s mature trees are beautiful until they drop limbs on your fence. A falling branch can crush several sections, and a whole tree coming down might take out 50 feet or more. The weight of even a medium-sized limb can break posts that are otherwise in good condition.
Ice storm damage. We don’t get ice often, but when we do, it’s brutal. Ice accumulation can weigh down fence structures, and the expansion and contraction from freezing and thawing can crack posts and pop pickets off the rails. The February 2021 ice storm damaged fences across the entire city.
Flood and water damage. Heavy rains can saturate the soil around fence posts, causing them to lean or fall. Flash flooding along Austin’s creeks and low-lying areas can physically push fences over or undermine their foundations. Water damage also accelerates rot in wood fences.
Working with Insurance on Fence Damage Claims
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover fence damage from storms, but there are some things to know:
Fences are usually covered under ‘other structures.’ Your policy likely has a separate coverage limit for structures that aren’t your main house. This includes fences, sheds, and detached garages. The coverage limit is typically 10% of your dwelling coverage.
You’ll pay your deductible. Whatever your standard deductible is (often $1,000-2,500), you pay it out of pocket before insurance kicks in. For smaller fence repairs, the cost might not exceed your deductible, making a claim pointless.
Get multiple estimates. Insurance companies appreciate having documentation of fair market pricing. We provide detailed written estimates that break down materials and labor, which helps your adjuster process the claim accurately.
Depreciation may apply. Some policies pay actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation) rather than full replacement cost. If your fence were 15 years old, the insurance payout might be less than a new fence. Check your policy or ask your agent.
We work with insurance companies regularly and can help you navigate the process. We’ll provide whatever documentation your adjuster needs.
Repair vs Replace After Storm Damage
Storm damage doesn’t always mean total replacement. Here’s how we assess it:
Localized damage with healthy remaining sections: If a tree took out 20 feet of a 150-foot fence and the rest is in good condition, we’ll repair or partially replace just the damaged portion. No reason to tear down what’s working.
Widespread damage or aging fence: If the storm knocked down multiple sections of an older fence, full replacement usually makes more sense. The storm exposed weaknesses throughout, and the remaining sections are likely to last much longer.
Post damage: When posts snap at ground level, that section needs replacement rather than repair. You can’t effectively splice a broken post. Check out our repair vs replacement guide for more details.
Our Storm Damage Response Process
When you call us after storm damage, here’s what happens:
Priority scheduling. Storm damage calls go to the front of the line. If your fence is down and your yard is unsecured, that’s urgent. We’ll get someone out to assess as quickly as possible, often within 24-48 hours of your call.
On-site assessment. We’ll assess all the damage, inspect the condition of the remaining sections, and discuss your options. We take our own photos for the estimate and can share these with your insurance company.
Detailed estimate. You’ll get a written estimate that itemizes everything: debris removal, demolition of damaged sections, materials for new construction, labor, and cleanup. This format works well for insurance claims.
Fast installation. Once you approve the work (and your insurance, if applicable), we schedule the job. Storm repairs typically happen within 1-2 weeks of approval, sometimes faster if materials are readily available. We keep common cedar fencing materials in stock for exactly this reason.
Storm Damage? Call Us Now
Don’t wait weeks for an estimate while your property sits unsecured. Contact us or call (512) 900-5735 for priority storm damage service. We’ll help you document the damage, work with your insurance, and get your fence back up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most policies cover fence damage from covered perils like wind, hail, falling trees, and lightning. Your fence typically falls under ‘other structures’ coverage. Review your policy or call your agent to confirm your specific coverage.
We prioritize storm damage and can typically complete assessments within 24-48 hours. Installation usually happens within 1-2 weeks of approval, depending on material availability and the scope of work.
Small branches are fine to clear. For larger limbs or full trees, we recommend professional removal. Moving heavy debris incorrectly can cause additional damage to the fence or personal injury. Plus, your insurance may require the tree to be in place for documentation.
In Texas, storm damage from healthy trees is generally considered an ‘act of God,’ meaning your insurance covers your fence regardless of where the tree came from. If the tree was dead or diseased and your neighbor knew about it, they might have liability, but that’s a legal question beyond fence installation.
Absolutely. Many homeowners use storm damage as an opportunity to upgrade from a basic fence to a better one. Insurance will cover replacing what you had. You pay the difference for any upgrades. This is actually great timing if you were considering a new fence anyway.
We can replace just the damaged sections if the rest of the fence is in good condition. We match materials and construction as closely as possible. The new sections may look slightly different from weathered old sections until they age in.