Henderson Co. family survives tree falling on home
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A local family says Tuesday night storms caused thousands of dollars in damage to their home. Harold E. Corbitt and his family said they’re grateful to do yard work Wednesday afternoon. Corbitt tells WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News he was watching TV Tuesday night, “when it sounded like something exploded like a bomb, ‘boom!'” he said. According to the 73-year-old homeowner, a 50-foot pine tree fell from his backyard into his home. “I sprung up like a spring chicken,” he said. Corbitt said the tree landed about seven feet away from him on the couch. Fearing the tree might catch fire, Corbitt said he fled to a bedroom to help another family member get outside the home. “I didn’t see any smoke, so I saw the tree and said, ‘gah, this joker done come plumb though the house.” Across the street, Sanford Bluchard said he could hear the wind whipping through the trees. “It was really bad last night,” he said, “The wind picked up really good.” The tree caused damage to three rooms. The family said the Henderson County Rescue Squad came out Tuesday night and helped clear the roof and put up tarps and tins as a temporary fix. Corbitt said he stayed in the house Tuesday night and doesn’t plan on leaving. Damages are estimated to be around $20,000. Corbitt said he thought lightning may have hit the tree, causing it to fall. WBBJ sent photos of the tree to the National Weather Service. They concluded the damage was caused by high winds.
