A severe storm hit Beaver County, heavily damaging homes in Patterson Heights. Strong winds uprooted trees, caused power outages, and split one house in half when a giant oak fell on it. Last night, a couple inside the damaged house on 7th Street got injured, with one needing hospital treatment. As reported by WTAE, this shows how unpredictable storms can be despite our best preparations.
Meanwhile, WPXI provides a more personal angle on the event, detailing that homeowner Gregg Galbreath was inside along with his wife Nadine and a friend when the nearly two-century-old oak suddenly descends through their pre-1880s home. Galbreath describes the event as "wild and violent," noting that it is a stark contrast to the usual behavior of their ancient oak, which has withstood countless storms before.
"The tree fell right straight on the second-floor roof. It came right through and took everything from the second floor to the first floor and that's when the ceiling split," Galbreath stated, as per WPXI. In the wake of the destruction, an embrace of faith provided solace for the afflicted residents. “We are extremely grateful. We are Christians. We believe God saved us from that and done such a great thing and that's really all that matters," said Galbreath, expressing relief that they were spared a worse fate. Despite the peril they faced, their gratitude shines through the rubble, a testament to their enduring spirit in the face of adversity.
As for the aftermath, the storm left its mark on the Galbreaths' household and throughout the region. Duquesne Light stated over 9,000 customers were without power, predominantly in the Beaver Falls, Patterson Heights, and New Brighton areas.
