Homeowners work to clear fallen trees after Henri strikes New England

OXFORD, Mass. — The damage is extensive, but the result could have been far worse.

Homeowner Chad Bilodeau said his gutters are damaged, along with some siding and a couple of windows, but his house is structurally sound despite the large tree that snapped and fell in his front yard.

It happened around 9 a.m. Sunday as Tropical Depression Henri further saturated the already soggy ground with more rain.

RELATED: Trees coming down across the state as Henri rolls through

The piece the fell is only half of the tree, the rest is leaning toward power lines which makes him nervous.

“I’m going to have to do something about it because I don’t like it, “Bilodeau explained Monday morning.

He had left to run an errand when someone inside the home called in a panic to tell him the house had been hit by a tree.

Monday, the Director of the Department of Public Works and several workers assessed the damage.

They came to see if the tree was on town or private property and later determined it was not land owned by the town.

Bilodeau said he will try to remove the tree himself before another round of rain is expected Monday afternoon.

Neighbors said they’re concerned with what happens if a stronger storm passes through the area, the same is true for this homeowner.

“Absolutely, the other half of the tree,” said Bilodeau. “You couldn’t even tell, it looks like it’s green leaves. Nothing is rotting on it except under the ground apparently.”

They weren’t the only ones. Just five miles away on Prospect Street in Auburn, another tree fell and left what appeared to be minor damage to a home.

Auburn fire officials said they had a couple of trees and powerlines down but thankfully no injuries.

On Turner Road, not only is everyone safe, but they have a good attitude about it too.

“For a tree leaning on your house it’s ideal,” said Bilodeau. “A little roof damage, some siding, and windows, it could’ve been a lot worse.

He said the house remained structurally sound but it did shake some things inside even shattering one of their mirrors.

©2021 Cox Media Group