The May 2022 derecho that tore through the Twin Cities metro snapped and uprooted trees across entire neighborhoods in under an hour, and we spent weeks afterward grinding the stumps and shattered root balls left behind. Storm damage work is different from routine grinding — trunks are often already broken off unevenly, root balls can be partially heaved out of the ground, and there’s frequently a downed-tree removal crew’s mess to work around first. We prioritize storm-related calls ahead of our standard queue when a stump or root ball is a safety hazard, blocking a driveway, or sitting against a structure.
How we handle storm-related jobs
We triage by phone or photo first — a heaved root ball leaning against a house is a same-day priority, while a snapped trunk stump in an open yard can wait a few days if needed. On site, we often deal with splintered wood that doesn’t grind as cleanly as a cleanly cut stump, plus soil that’s already disturbed from the tree tipping over. If your insurance adjuster needs documentation, we can photograph the stump before grinding and provide a dated invoice that references the storm event, which has helped several clients with claims after the 2022 derecho and subsequent summer storms.
- Phone or photo triage to assess urgency and safety risk.
- Priority scheduling for hazards blocking access or leaning on structures.
- Document stump condition with photos for insurance if needed.
- Grind the stump, accounting for splintered wood and disturbed soil.
- Clear debris and haul chips per the standard service terms.
What this costs after storm damage
Standard diameter pricing still applies — $250 minimum, $275-$425 for medium stumps, $425-$650 for large ones — storm damage doesn’t change the bands, though heaved root balls or splintered trunks can sometimes take longer to grind than a clean-cut stump of the same size, which shows up as time rather than a separate fee. A 22-inch elm that came down in a derecho and left a partially uprooted root ball typically runs $400-$450, close to what a standard 22-inch grind would cost, plus a modest time adjustment if the root ball is significantly disturbed. We don’t charge emergency surcharges for storm work during normal business hours; after-hours or same-day requests fall under our rush pricing instead.
- Standard diameter pricing applies; no separate ‘storm surcharge’ during business hours.
- Heaved or partially uprooted root balls may take longer to grind, reflected in time rather than a flat fee.
- Same-day or after-hours storm response falls under rush pricing — see same-day service.
- Insurance documentation and dated photos provided at no extra charge on request.
When storm damage calls for urgent scheduling
Not every storm-felled tree needs same-day attention — a stump sitting in the middle of an open backyard can wait for a normal appointment. What moves a job to the front of the queue is risk: a root ball leaning unstable against siding, a stump blocking the only driveway access, or debris in a spot where kids or pets are likely to be. Call and describe the situation rather than assuming either extreme; we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s urgent or can wait for a standard slot.
- Heaved root ball leaning against a house, garage, or fence.
- Stump or debris blocking the only driveway or walkway access.
- Storm damage creating a trip or fall hazard in a high-traffic area.
- Insurance claim in progress that requires prompt documentation.
- Upcoming storm forecast and you want existing hazard trees addressed first.
Text a photo of your stump to 952-388-3327. We’ll text back a fixed quote — usually within an hour on weekdays.