Storm Causes Trees to Crash on Greenlodge Home

UPDATE Aug. 31, 4 p.m.

A resident claimed that a "microburst" whipped down the street and caused the tree to fall on the house. But according to a local TV news station, weather experts confirmed it was not a microburst.

Richard Hadayia laid on his couch on Greenlodge Street in Dedham early Sunday afternoon as Tropical Storm Irene brought strong winds and plenty of rain to the town.

The next thing he knew a chandelier in his dining room crashed down from the ceiling after a tree fell on top of his house.

"It was one big bang. An incredible bang. It slammed into the house. Like a car hitting a stone wall at a 100 mph," Hadayia said.

A neighbor told Hadayia that a microburst - localized column of wind like a mini-tornado - whipped down the street, taking out several trees. [It was later confirmed that it was not a microburst]. The one in Hadayia's front yard just happened to crash into his house.

An hour later, wind caused a second tree in his front yard to uproot and smash on the roof on the other side of the house. Both trees caused holes in the roof.

"The good news is I'm covered."

That's very good news for the Greenlodge Street resident. A tree contractor estimated the damage at $2,500, but the contractor said the soonest he could get the trees off the house would be Tuesday.

"I'm waiting for this rain to stop to catch the water so I don't have ceiling damage," he said.

Several homes around Dedham were seen with trees up against them, through front yards.

Hadayia said he and his family is staying put, despite the damage.

And with power lines detached from his home, he doesn't know when he'll have electricity back.

"What a mess I have on my hands," Hadayia said. "I don't worry about stuff I don't have control over. If you go down to North Carolina, you'll see stuff worse than this."

Despite the scary moments, Hayadia said he, his wife, mother-in-law, daughter or son were uninjured.

"Right now, I'm feeling lucky. Everyone is OK," he said.