Pinkytoe, am I understanding the damage - trees down, destroyed neighbouring fence?
Is it possible that such damage would involve home insurance coverage?
In that single situation, would it not be hard to determine if helping is leading to some liability for further damage plus personal injury?
There may be some very rational reasons for not jumping in to help.

Where widespread damage impacts a whole community such as in Kentucky after the tornado, liability and insurance coverage might be viewed differently.