Tree Crashes Into Tulsa Home

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Powerful storms ripped across northeast Oklahoma on Friday morning.  The storms brought winds of up to 70 miles an hour in some parts of the area.  SkyNews 6 captured video of a home in Tulsa that was damaged when a tree slammed down on top of it.

It happened near 51st and Riverside.  Three people were inside the home when the tree came crashing down.  For the three people inside the home, it was terrifying.

Now they're left wondering what to do next.

When the storms first rumbled into Tulsa, Brittany Hand was asleep.  Within moments of getting up and turning on the TV to check the weather, part of the house came crashing down around her.

"As soon as the storm was showing it was through Tulsa, and the first hit of lightning, first hit of thunder, the roof fell in.  I screamed, went to my brother's room and we panicked," said Brittany Hand.

They panicked because strong winds toppled a towering 90 foot pecan tree, slamming it onto and through the roof.

"The house literally shook and it kind of felt like an earthquake.  It was that bad," said Brittany Hand.

The roof over the living room, laundry area and kitchen now has damage.  Plus, there is water damage, just about everywhere.  The home's owner, Brittany's mom, Jennifer Williams, was at work when she got the call about what happened.

"They were screaming.  They were terrified," said Jennifer Williams.

Brittany says it's the scariest thing she's ever been through.  Her mom is just glad no one was hurt.

"Considering the structure of the house right now, it could have completely taken the house down and hurt the family.  Absolutely.  Very lucky," said Jennifer Williams.

Within just a couple of hours, crews started removing the tree.  But, it will be quite some time before the family can get repairs made, and move back into the home.  Until then, they're staying with relatives.

Damage to the home is estimated at about $70,000.