Friday, October 10, 2008

It Started As A Nightmare


I'll let you know how it ends!


The wind started in the night and in the early morning hours it howled like a mad man. Winds on our hillside were clocked at just under 100 mph. At some point we knew something was actually hitting up against our house. When we went out to look, this is what we saw.




The only reason the tree didn't completely uproot was because our house caught it. It certainly could have been worse and it could still get worse. As I type, I hear chainsaws in the near and far distance and we're still trying to figure out a way to get the tree off the house without having it come crashing down on another part of the house. We've already tried to jack it off the house using a wench and a 4x4 atv, to no avail. The next option is going to be for Eric to get up on the roof with a chainsaw and to top the tree. The problem is, there is no great way for him to get his footing once he's up on the rooftop, because of where the tree is in proximity to the roofline. While Eric and our friend Chet regroup, they have ventured to another neighbor's house to see how they can begin to start cleaning up the havoc that the wind wreaked over there.

Considering the chaos here (the picutres don't do it justice), I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be in a hurricane or a tornado. What I do know is a situation like this sure pulls a community together. We're all having to work together to help each other piece our houses and yards back together.
I'll keep you posted once our plan materializes.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Steph,
We are glad to know that you guys are well and safe!
That sure was a wind... Tell Eric to be careful getting to that tree.
It is nice to know that in an emergency the neighbors all get together and help..
Keep us updated how it all goes. Great pictures!!!
Love
Grandma & Grandpa

Kelli said...

WOW, is all I can say. Stay safe!

Anonymous said...

Just how do you "clock" wind? Is that some Alaskan secret?