Jul 1, 2008 11:38 pm US/Eastern
Homes Damaged During Storm By Toppling Trees
WINDHAM, N.H. (WBZ) ―
Peaceful Shadow Lake in Windham, New Hampshire. It is a quiet spot -- that was until Sunday, when the clouds came rolling in. "We saw an enormous black cloud coming," said neighbor Lee Balcom. "The lake was like glass when it started, then I saw the storm coming across the lake, just like chewing up the water."
A quick summer storm, similar to the one that blew into town on Tuesday, but more powerful – bringing with it thunder, lighting and hail.
The winds were so powerful, they toppled two huge trees. "I went out on deck and I looked through the hole in my neighbor's house and I saw my next neighbor's house had been wiped out as well," said Balcom.
One tree settled on a home with four small children inside. The whole family was home when the tree fell, but they managed to escape uninjured.
The other tree, a 100-foot pine, came crashing through another home close by. Luckily no one was home. Balcom said the owner, Chuck Galatis of Chelsea, had just put up new siding, new windows and a new roof on his summer home, but it could have been worse.
Galatis said he would have been home when the tree came crashing through his house, but his girlfriend had an appointment, so they left the house early.
Balcom knows how close his house came to being hit, but he never thinks twice about living so close to nature. "Everyday is like a photograph when you get up in the morning."
One of the houses hit is salvageable. In fact, contractors are already working to fix it, but the second house has been condemned.
WBZ talked with the owner on the phone. He said he'll probably have to tear it down, he's just glad no one was hurt.
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