Monday Night Storms Cause Damage From Dallas To Kaufman
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NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Uprooted trees, damaged cars and buildings -- that's just some of what was left behind after winds between 65 and 80 mph hit the city of Kaufman Monday night. A home on Main Street suffered severe damage when tree fell, punching a hole through the roof.
Repairs were fast-tracked because we're told the house just sold Monday, and it's a problem neither the buyer nor seller want on top of usual closing hassles.
There are many mature and aging trees in the area where the storm hit hardest -- southeast Kaufman. "Oh, yes, that's what makes you nervous," explained Killi Walker. "We've got a lot of old trees in this neighborhood and this is just the start of it."
Businesses weren't spared, either. A Chevy dealer had a damaged carport, plus broken windows and outbuildings. An auto parts store suffered glass damage too. The winds were strong enough to topple two semi-trailers.
Homeowner Brad Greene thought he'd ridden out the worst, then came outside to see his carport wasn't where he left it. "It flipped it over on top of the house and then it slid right back down onto the top of the truck." Fortunately Greene knows some people who have tractors and other heavy equipment. He was able to get the carport removed without suffering any additional damage.
And getting someone to help out proved to be the theme farther north in Dallas where Donald Rankins escaped from a freak tree falling into his home. "Whew, oh my God! It's like something out of a horror movie, man."
Rankins was hit on the head when the wind blew a diseased old tree onto the home that he has owned just three weeks. Rankins said he heard the tree falling. "At first I thought the sound was an earthquake, because of the way it sounded, woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woom!"
Rankins praises God he's safe. But he has no insurance. When a total stranger, Zac Turner, found out that Rankins had no insurance he volunteered his time and expertise to repair the damage. The only thing the homeowner will have to do is provide the materials.
Turner says he was just moved to lend a hand. "It's just been three weeks he's been here, but he says, 'God is good,' and he's a pretty good guy and I'm just here to help."
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