GASTONIA, N.C. — Firefighters said heavy rains are likely to blame for a tree falling onto a Gastonia home early Tuesday morning -- and officials warned that with the rain sticking around there could be more damage across the area.
The tree fell on the home on South Chester Street after sunrise, and a neighbor heard it come crashing down.
The home owners were away at the time and nobody was hurt.
Fire investigators told Channel 9 it appeared the rain weakened the ground around the tree, causing it to topple.
The Emergency Management director said this could happen even more as the rain continues to fall, warning that older trees are most likely to come down.
"Getting tree pruning now could go a long ways, especially even around power lines,” said Tommy Almond. “That may be the tree that takes down the power coming into your house."
He said that both the drought and recent rain can be to blame for falling trees.
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