Dozens of People Killed Each Year in the U.S. by Falling Trees - What You Need to Know

Falling trees kill dozens of people each year in the U.S., making it one of the most deadly weather hazards. The risk is amplified during the spring season when severe weather is more common. Here is what you need to know about the risk of falling trees, as well as what you can do to reduce this threat.

Understanding the Danger of Falling Trees

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 34 people died in the U.S. in 2025 from trees or branches falling down during times of high winds. This number does not include fatalities related to falling trees during tornadic activity. The number of deaths attributed to falling trees in 2025 in the U.S. was higher than the number of lightning fatalities.

The 2025 numbers are in line with data from a previous study, indicating that the U.S. saw an average of 31 deaths annually from tree falls blamed on high winds between 1995 and 2007.

Of the 34 deaths confirmed in 2025, 19 of them happened when trees fell on vehicles. An additional eight fatalities happened out in the open. Three of the deaths came when trees fell on a mobile or manufactured home, while two happened in single-family homes. One death happened in a tent, and the last fatality was not specified in the reporting.

In addition to the dozens of fatalities, over 100 people were injured when trees fell down during times of high winds. According to the NOAA data, there were 91 separate tree-falling events that led to at least one injury or death last year. At least one confirmed event happened in 35 states from coast to coast, including in Puerto Rico.

The NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC) detailed that there were over 17,000 reports of thunderstorm high winds or thunderstorm wind damage events in the U.S. in 2025. Wind speeds over 60 mph have the power to bring down trees. These high winds are common during hurricanes, tropical storms, nor'easters, and severe thunderstorms.

Tornadoes and hurricanes present the greatest danger of falling trees. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), 61 of the 65 deaths related to high winds from Hurricane Helene were blamed on falling trees.

While most people associate falling trees with tornadoes or hurricanes, the danger can happen during a myriad of weather conditions. Heavy, wet snow is often a culprit for falling trees. Ice storms are another event that is responsible for a large number of falling trees.

Trees can topple during times of moderate winds if the ground is saturated. Most recently, a tree fell and killed a person in San Diego on Christmas Eve 2025, when winds were only gusting to 40 mph. The recent rain event across Southern California had soaked the ground and made the trees more vulnerable to falling over.

How to Protect Yourself From Falling Trees

You cannot always avoid the wrath of Mother Nature. However, there are steps that you can take to reduce the risk of being hurt or killed by a falling tree. The first step is to be aware of the health of the trees on and around your property.

Trees that are leaning in one direction are inherently more susceptible to falling down. The danger is especially great if the tree is leaning toward the house. It is important to remove unhealthy or leaning trees. Not only will it save you money on a homeowner's insurance policy deductible if the tree falls on a home, but it may also save your life.

A certified arborist is trained to inspect trees and determine if they are at risk of falling. Having an inspection done once per year is a good idea if your property is wooded.

It is also vital to take severe thunderstorm and high wind warnings seriously. You can protect yourself further by enabling all weather notifications on your smartphone.

Everyone knows to seek shelter during a tornado warning. But it is also important to get to safety during a severe thunderstorm warning. If your home is surrounded by tall trees, it is a good practice to sleep on the lowest level during times of high winds.

Meteorologists also advise avoiding driving when there is a high wind threat. Should you get caught up in a dangerous wind event when out on the road, pull off the road and seek shelter in a sturdy building. It goes without saying to avoid driving on roads with thick tree cover, choosing open highways instead.

Being alert to the threat of high winds, staying on top of tree maintenance on your property, and taking the appropriate action when driving during windy conditions are all good strategies for staying safe.

Weather changes fast — help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat.