Wind damage considerable in E.B.
JEFF HUNTLEY Tree limbs broken by a recent wind storm damaged the porch of this house on Milltown Road, near its intersection with Route 18.
No injuries as falling trees smash houses, cars and roofs
By nicole c. vaccaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — The recent storms wreaked havoc on at least four residences and a church, reported township police.
"High winds were responsible for a number of fallen trees and wires last week," said Sgt. Russ MacArthur.
Among the more significant damages being reported were a tree falling into a home on Herbert Drive, another tree downing wires on Agate Road and a gust of wind trapping a Margaret Place resident on his roof after the wind blew his ladder over.
"That incident was not serious, but he needed to wait for the fire department to help him down," said MacArthur. "Apparently, he was trying to remove branches from the roof when his ladder fell. He was lucky not to be on it at the time."
But according to the sergeant, it was this weekend’s storm that produced some of the most damaging results.
Steven Berman and his wife, Ruth, of Crommelin Court, were asleep on Sunday morning when a tree fell onto their roof and put a hole above the garage.
"We heard the crash around 7 a.m.," said Berman. "The next thing I knew, we had a hole in our roof, my fence was crumbled, and my car had a tree on top of it."
Oddly enough, the car suffered the least amount of damage, according to Berman, who added that the tree’s limbs supported it just above the car.
"There were only minor dents in the car. It looked worse than it actually was," he said.
"But what I found most amazing was that the tree was actually ripped out of the ground from its roots and remained intact when it toppled over," he added.
Berman had to call upon a tree removal company to remove the debris from his property on Sunday, which wound up costing him $975.
The township, he said, does not pay for damage that occurs on private property.
"Oh well, that was a nice Christmas present," he said. "But money aside, I’m grateful my family wasn’t hurt."
Another incident occurred at St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church, Ryders Lane, after a transformer blew out following the 7 a.m. Mass on Sunday.
A witness leaving the church reported seeing sparks from the pole and downed wires next to a school trailer, which was located in the parking lot across from the gymnasium.
A spokeswoman for the church said there were lights for only a portion of the 8 a.m. Mass.
Power was not restored again until after the 12:30 p.m. Mass, she said.
"Spotlights were set up during the interim, so at least the altar could be lit," she added.
Police said no other major damage has been reported since yesterday’s incidents.
"Let’s just hope that was the end of it," said MacArthur.

