A Nantwich couple spoke of their horror after two giant oak trees came crashing down on to their bungalow during Storm Bronagh.
The incident happened in the early hours today (September 21) at Sean and Carmen McCleery’s home in Hospital Lane, in Ravensmoor, Nantwich.
The stunned couple were woken up at around 1am by a huge noise as large sections of two 150-year-old oaks succumbed to strong winds.
The trees also damaged a neighbour’s house, destroyed a shed and blocked the lane for several hours.
Carmen, who has lived in the bungalow for almost 30 years, said: “It was terrifying.
“There was an almighty bang. I had a look out the back and the tree was lying right across the garden, blocking our back door. We couldn’t get out!
“Branches had also crashed through the lounge window, and further up our neighbours also had their roof damaged, as well as garden sheds and gates.
“These were very large trees, at least 100 possibly 150 years old.”
The couple also say they were left to fend for themselves after contacting emergency services who could not reach them.
“It was frustrating, as we were asking for some help. We were told as it’s an unadopted road it was not in their remit.
“So it seems to us that it depends where it is! If it was on the main highway, they would there be quickly.
“Cheshire Police did send a patrol car but he could not get to us as the land was completely blocked and there is no other access.”
A local farmer did come to their aid and helped clear the lane with his tractor.
The couple were uninjured in the incident and are now waiting for insurers to assess the damage.
“We’ve never experienced anything like this in 30 years here!” added Carmen.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “At 1.28am on Friday 21 September police were called to an address in Hospital Lane in Ravensmoor following reports of a tree having fallen onto the roof of a house.
“No one was injured and there was no threat to life. Officers tried to attend to give advice and reassurance but a tree was blocking the lane.
“As the road was unadopted it was advised Highways would not attend to remove the tree. Officers gave advice to the family by phone.”
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council’s highways team said: “Cheshire East’s highways team has no record of any report of an incident in Hospital Lane but, generally, we would not respond to incidents on unadopted roads.
“Responsibility would rest with the householder to contact the emergency services, if appropriate, and their insurance company.”
A number of roads were flooded during the heavy rainfall yesterday and overnight, including nearby New Road in Wrenbury (pictured below, courtesy of @olylowe)
Three foot of water flooded a house in Main Road, Weston.
Cheshire Fire crews began using a small pump to remove the water from the front of the house and the drains. They then used a main pump and another pump to help them remove the water.
On Wednesday, a woman was seriously injured after a tree fell on her car on Forest Road in Tarporley.
She was trapped in the vehicle and had to be cut free by fire crews at around 1.30pm.
Firefighters worked with a professional tree surgeon to help remove the tree before crews removed the roof of the vehicle using hydraulic cutting equipment.
She was treated at the scene by before being taken to hospital by air ambulance.
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