Storm-affected family helped on July 4

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - A Chesapeake family is thankful for help from the community after a storm ripped through the area Saturday night.

Melissa Barnes reached out to WAVY.com to report damage at her Chesapeake home. Her car was totaled and trees were down throughout her yard.

"We felt the house shake," Jerry Barnes said. "About three trees fell in our driveway."

Photos: Storm produces lightning and hail

Barnes says the family was already "struggling with trials" as their seven-month-old adopted son Timmy has been hospitalized for pneumonia almost continuously since January. Luckily, Timmy, who has to be on a ventilator, wasn't home during the power outage and storms.

"I don't know what we would have done because not only would his equipment not have worked, but we couldn't even get out of our driveway and I don't think rescue equipment could have gotten to him fast enough," Melissa Barnes said.

Then, Barnes says a heartwarming display of community service took place.

More than 20 families from Kempsville Presbyterian Church came to her home on July 4 to help in clean-up efforts. Barnes says even more families have already come to help pitch in and visit her infant son in the hospital while her family recovers from the storm at home.

"It feels so good. I do hope that one day --I don't want any tragedies to fall on my friends, but I do hope that one day I can give back to all these people who have given to me," Melissa said.