Fallen tree destroys home in North Salem; homeowner ‘thankful’ to be alive
Joan Visbal says her home is insured but all the damage still needs to be assessed.
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The cleanup is still underway across parts of Westchester and Putnam counties that were hit hard by straight-line winds over the weekend. For one homeowner, she says she is just grateful to be alive.
Joan Visbal says it happened around 6 p.m. Sunday in the North Salem area. First, the umbrella from an outdoor table came crashing through a window. Then, a massive tree fell on her home leaving her briefly trapped. She says in that moment, adrenaline kicked in and she knew she had to act fast to get out safely.
"Something fell on top of me, and I looked up and I could see the sky. There was something on top of me and I just pushed it. My neighbors had already saw the tree and were calling 911, they were looking for me because they knew I was home," said Visbal.
She had a few bruises, but no other injuries.
She says her home is insured but all the damage still needs to be assessed. In the meantime, Visbal will be staying with her daughter who lives nearby.
Emergency crews say despite serious damage in parts of Westchester and Putnam counties, no one in the area was seriously hurt by Sunday's storm.
