MTFCA Forum

Sometimes the fates like to give you a good expensive scare...

My 1922 Touring has been stored at a house that we just use as storage and ive been able to use the garage. It worked great, i had enough room to spread out parts, organize and try to get some things done.
Well, this past Tuesday evening, a large and powerful storm came through our area with 60+ mph winds, and a little rain.
One of the trees in front of the house fell down during the wind, and crashed into the house, making a big gash in the front of the house. Thankfully, i had just left for the evening a half hour before and no one was hurt, but come Wednesday morning, we got word a tree fell on the house. The tree fell about 8ft from the garage, but fell on such an angle, parts landed on the garage. Luckily, the T is unharmed, but the house is a little worse for wear. The tree went all the way over the house and into the back yard! One small branch punctured the roof above the T in the garage, but luckily didnt cave the roof in.
Now, with rain forecasted for the next few days, is going to be an interesting journey....

So your lesson is, if a big old tree that is half dead is near your house, remove it before it comes knocking on your roof!!

We had a bunch of potentially dangerous trees removed last fall for just that reason. No big storms yet but it looks to be a busy summer storm-wise. I'm sorry for all the damage to the house but glad your T came thru OK.

I have a huge Pine Tree that I like, but it is too close to the house. I intend to have it cut down next month. I hate doing this, but the house has to come first.

Ouch! The damage to the garage looks serious. Glad your T came out ok. Tim is smart and proactively removed the risk. Years ago I worked for an arborist. When called to clean up storm damage, most times you could see why the tree failed. Roots damaged by construction, stem decay and hollow trunks. Sometimes just the wrong species of tree in the wrong place. Having a knowledgeable person or a certified arborist to assess, trim or remove high risk trees will prevent most property damage from storms.

We have had a few large trees fall, but fortunately none have fallen on our buildings yet. One knocked over a chain link fence. It was an Oak and I have had a lot of firewood for a few years. a Pine fell last year right along the property line last year in the Hurricane. Hurricanes are very seldom in Southern California, but this one came inland about 30 miles to where I live. I was looking out the window and noticed it leaning and watched it fall! This year I had to have all trees and plants removed within 6 feet of the house and thinned out with the smaller ones for the next 30' then the larger ones can be spaced out with all lower branches removed. All these things have to be done for fire resistance because of the frequent brush fires in the area, so none are close enough to the buildings to fall now.
I am very sorry for your loss, but at least your valuable car was spared.
Norm

Glad no one got hurt. It's only stuff.
But, a reminder for all to check their vintage aucto insurance coverage. When I was shopping around for coverage, there were requirements for covered, on site parking. If parked at another location, even if covered like a storage locker or a car museum or showroom, it might not be covered for damage or theft.