Ice Storm Not Killing Some Residents' Spirit

Collinsville has taken the brunt of the icy blast. News On 6's Ashli Sims reports many trees are reaching their breaking point in Collinsville. The sound of tree branches cracking and snapping filled the neighborhood.

"It just sounded like popcorn going off like it is now... I don't know. I just wouldn't dream it would happen to these trees," said Collinsville resident Marie Gillespie.

When they came crashing down, they landed on top of the Marie Gillespie's home.

"Kinda scary at night when that hit. I couldn't believe it. She said that tree hit the house. I got up and looked around. Wasn't nothing I could do about it, after I stepped out front," said Claude Gillespie.

Falling limbs also took out power lines in their wake, not only leaving Collinsville residents in the dark, but in the cold. Some folks braved the weather and got busy with the clean-up.

"It's terrible. Think I lost most of my trees. Pretty much lost all my trees I think," said Collinsville resident Virgil Howard.

Chris Erickson cut down what he could to clear a path, even tugging down limbs, before they snap and end up on some one's car or RV. City crews stretched into the tree tops to trim limbs in danger of taking out more lines.

After decades in Collinsville, Claude Gillespie says he's never seen it quite this bad.

"We had a bad one last year ya' know. But nothing like this, it didn't make no trees fall over," said Claude Gillespie.

The Gillespie's say they won't be able to tell exactly how much damage was done to their home, until they get the tree off the roof.