My neighborhood got wrecked last evening during a freak storm that clocked 80 mph winds. Tons of trees and roofs damaged. The sound of chainsaws fills the air this morning.
Discovered a tree down in my backyard when I was getting ready for bed last night. All I could see from my window was the giant outline/shadow of a large bit of shrubbery laying across my yard and the next.
I had spent a good hour outside talking with known and barely known neighbors after last night’s storm wreckage. It’s interesting how collective trauma (even minor) can swoop us together in animated sidewalk conversations.
Alas, I did not get to discuss my own wreckage with anyone in the neighborhood as I discovered it late at night after everyone went to bed.
I just walked back to check and everything seems intact including my precious air conditioner which I will need as we head into the tropical Western Pennsylvania summer months.
I was supposed to pack and do bills and clean today in preparation for a small trip but instead I am cleaning up twiggage deposits.
So much damage here it’s unbelievable. Some people are going to have to wait 5 - 7 days for power to be restored. Schools have been closed. Malls were closed until this evening. Walmart was closed for 2 days!
Even my cemetery has been partially damaged. Seven large pine trees smashed into the tombstones.
It feels like hurricane clean up season in Floridia except it’s not Florida.
News says it was a derecho which is essentially an inland hurricane so that makes sense.
Lots of collective community trauma going on.
I just hope I can make it out of town on Friday for my trip to Virginia. Roads are still closed today.
So I heard pounding outside this morning and thought maybe the neighbor was taking an ax to the tree that has taken residence in my yard.
No - there is a crew of Amish workers removing a rotting wooden deck from the back of the other neighbor’s house. He doesn’t live there yet and probably has no idea that a tree is also in his yard but these Amish workers should hopefully notify him.
I’ve been through a lot of personal disasters and grief but this is a new one for me. I’m a bit traumatized for sure.
It’s like an unfolding narrative of bad news and more bad news. I suppose that’s how these things evolve.
Just found out last night that the house of one of my cousins who has been in a personal care home for almost 2 years has been damaged by a few trees. Her children are not local so I have no idea what will happen to that. It’s a gorgeous house and hate to see it damaged.
