Family displaced after 30-foot tree crashes into West Orange home during storms
family whose home was struck by a 30-foot oak tree told News 12 New Jersey the impact left their house uninhabitable and led officials to revoke the property's certificate of occupancy.
Cleanup continues across New Jersey following last weekend’s severe storms, and one Essex County family is now searching for a new place to live after a large tree crashed into their home.
Residents on Yale Terrace in West Orange are still assessing the damage left behind after powerful storms swept through the tree-lined neighborhood Friday. A family whose home was struck by a 30-foot oak tree told News 12 New Jersey the impact left their house uninhabitable and led officials to revoke the property's certificate of occupancy.
The tree has since been removed, but significant damage remains. The uprooted base of the oak tree is still visible outside the home, where its roots tore away from the ground before the tree fell. Neighbors say the area’s mature trees add beauty to the community, but they can also pose a risk during severe weather.
"I'm actually so glad that I had this big tree removed from my property, the trees around here are so beautiful, but they're so old. And that's the scary thing. I mean, I'm always afraid that the tree is going to fall, and trees obviously have fallen," said West Orange resident Kate Baker.
The incident comes after a series of strong storms moved across New Jersey, bringing heavy rain, flooding, downed trees and widespread power outages in several communities.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mikie Sherrill has faced criticism from some elected officials for not declaring a state of emergency following the storms. As for the family on Yale Terrace, they are currently staying at a nearby hotel while they search for a more permanent place to live.
