Crews removing massive tree that fell onto east Charlotte home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Several old trees were no match for the heavy rain and high winds that have been seen across the Carolinas over the past few days.
 
One massive tree served as a startling, early morning wake up call for the people living at a home on Commonwealth Avenue in East Charlotte Sunday.
 

 Around 7 a.m., the 50-year-old tree crashed into their home leaving a big hole in the roof.
 
"We actually thought it was an earthquake, because the house was just shaking," said Amber Huffman.
 

On Monday morning, crews arrived with a crane to remove the damage.
 
Channel 9 learned that four women lived at the house together.
 
The tree actually came through the roof of one woman's bedroom. Luckily, she was out of town at the time.
 
"There is a tree branch through her roof so that's scary enough," said Allison Newman. "She wasn't there which we are thankful for."
 
Chainsaws and wood chippers were a common sight all around Charlotte Monday and tree removal companies said they were overwhelmed with work this weekend as the combination of rain and wind sent trees tumbling into streets and yards and onto houses.
 

In Mint Hill, Cyndi Cox raced outside Saturday evening and found her beloved Oak toppled over onto her home on Aylesbury Lane.
 
"I came to the back of the house and we got trees in every window, the doors coming though the wall and I go, 'Oh golly the tree fell,'" said Cox.
 
The massive oak took out four other trees with it, damaging the two back bedrooms.
 
Despite this mess, Cox is still thankful.
 
"All I could say was praise God it didn't get us," she said.
 
Bryan Oakley, a general contractor told Channel 9 that a majority of the trees they've had to remove were old, weak trees. The tree on Commonwealth Avenue was clearly rotted on the inside.
 
"It's the age of the tree and the wood rot down at the bottom that causes it to fall over," Oakley said.

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