Local

Family displaced after tree falls on home in Rowan County

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A family of five was displaced from their home in Salisbury after a tree crashed through their roof Saturday morning.

The Rowan County Fire Department responded to a 911 call about the fallen tree on Ferrell Lane around 7 a.m.

[ALSO READ: Who's responsible when a tree falls on your home or car?]

Lexye and Daniel Cochran told Channel 9 they're counting their blessings this holiday season rather than dwelling on what was lost during the frightening morning.

"During this time of year, it really puts in perspective what you're thankful for and what you're glad you do have," Lexye said. "We're just very thankful we got our kids."

The tree split the mobile home in two, and the couple said their three-year-old daughter was trapped on the opposite side of the mobile home.

"Daniel actually put shoes on and climbed out of our window," Lexye said. "He went and busted her window open to get her out of her room."

All three of the couple's children made it out of the home, and no one was injured.

Daniel said he was in the kitchen making a bottle for the couple's six-month-old when the tree fell. He said it landed where he was standing.

"I happened to look around and I saw a tree starting to come through the ceiling in the living room, so I decided I would bolt in the bedroom," Daniel said.

Water was pooling in the couple's driveway Saturday, and the ground was saturated. The Cochrans said the neighborhood has struggled to drain the water from last weekend's melting snow, and recent rain added insult to injury.

The tree pulled down power lines when it fell. Six customers in the neighborhood were without power awaiting repairs, according to Duke Energy's power outage map.

The couple said their landlord has found them a new home in the same neighborhood.

"They already found us a home," Daniel said. "People just moved out of it. We'll be in by next week."

Until then, the family is staying with a relative in Concord, and the American Red Cross is offering assistance.

They worry some of their furniture inside will be damaged by rainfall or crushed under the tree, but they're grateful for their family's safety.

"It's a difficult situation all around," Lexye said.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read