Trees fall on homes in Newport News

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Several trees fell as a strong storm system moved through Newport News, causing damage in its wake.

Newport News fire officials told WAVY.com five buildings were condemned across the city due to downed
trees.

One of the condemned buildings was at Brookridge Apartment Homes where a tree toppled onto three units.
No one was injured, but three families were forced out of their homes. Contractors removed most of the fallen tree from the building Thursday evening.

"The trees are so big," resident Rachel Huggins said. "They don't look like they would fall so easy. Seeing the tree crack like that was amazing."

Several residents say the incident has made them nervous about all of the trees surrounding the apartment community.

Jeff Barley lives several miles away from Brookridge Apartments, but is dealing with a tree problem of his own.

"I heard a noise that is kind of hard to describe. It wasn't thunder. It wasn't an explosion," Barley said. "It was a really weird noise then all of a sudden there was a tree poking through."

A huge pine tree from Barley's backyard crashed into his bedroom Wednesday night.

"It came awfully close. Another couple of feet to the right and it would have come right down on the bed," Barley said. "Overall I think that we were very fortunate it's just one of those things you live with and move on."

The rest of Barley's home was not damaged. He is and his wife sleep in the other part of the house until their bedroom is rebuilt.