Multiple Trees Uprooted Due To Severe Destructive Weather In Pa. Neighbors Stating I Am Responsible For All Damages.

Location: Pennsylvania

Hi all. I live in northern PA and yesterday we had very catastrophic and destructive weather. Thousands of trees uprooted in our city and thousands of people, myself included, have not had power for 24 hours.

I woke up this morning and checked my backyard before letting my dog out and found several large trees had toppled the fence, my yard, and my outdoor furniture. I have never been in a situation where something like this has happened and this is my first time as a homeowner. We made the claim with our homeowners insurance and are awaiting responses about estimates and when an adjustor could come out. I notified my neighbors about the damage because they do not have children or pets, and apparently did not see the damage from their yard. They apologized, even though it is nobody’s fault, and said they would contact their insurance.

About an hour later they come to my house with a printed piece of paper with pictures of our yards stating that I am responsible for all of the damage to their yard and my yard, and for tree removal. Most of the trees that fell are from their yard, and one tree fell from my yard but did not fall towards the direction of the fence or their shed/house. They demanded I give them the insurance claim number and told me that they hope I understand it is all my fault based on the pictures, and it would be the “right thing to do” for me to pay for all damages.

I am just confused and anxious about the situation. I am totally prepared to pay for my own damages in my yard because I don’t expect other people to pay for damages that they had no control over, but I do not think that it is right, or the law, that I would be responsible for everything and they do not have to pay for anything. I am just wanting some clarification on what is the actual law or proper thing to do in this situation :(