Schroeppel (WSYR-TV) -- A town of Schroeppel family is counting their blessings following Monday night’s storm. The family is grateful to be alive after a tree came crashing down through their roof, right on top of them.
With whipping winds and rain courtesy of Sandy, Cathleen Brooks, her husband and 4-year-old grandson were waiting out the storm and watching a movie at their home along County Route 54.
“We heard a crack and thought it was thunder,” Brooks said. “Next thing we know, we got the roof, the tree, everything coming down on top of my grandson and I.”
Both of them were sitting on the couch and Cathleen remembers feeling part of the tree come down on her shoulders, along with part of the roof, glass and insulation.
“All the stuff came down on our heads and got in our eyes and nose and mouth,” Brooks said. “We were in total shock for about 10 seconds and then just started looking for my grandson and husband.”
Buried in debris, Cathleen was able to reach for her grandson and call out for her husband who didn’t respond for a few minutes after getting knocked out from the impact.
The top portion of a 200 foot tree in the Brooks’ yard broke off and couldn’t withstand the gusty winds.
“It came in through the back of my house and it went straight across to my front door,” Cathleen said.
With a tree now in her living room, Cathleen says she’s unsure if the home can be fixed and if they can afford it.
“The most important thing is we got out safely. Nobody was seriously hurt. Our theory in life is if you get out all in one piece and there are no serious injuries, things can be replaced,” she said.
The family was checked out by EMTs and aside from some bumps and bruises, they’re all okay. The Red Cross is helping them out with a place to stay while they figure out what to do.
