Fallen tree wakens family from restful sleep Sunday
(Photo provided) A large old tree rests on the roof of the Gary and JoAnn Bird home in south central Whitley County. High winds pushed the tree over Sunday evening. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
After a long day of running in Huntington County, the Gary and JoAnn Bird family felt restful and secure in their home just south of Columbia City Saturday evening.
That sense of quiet and peace was broken when they were awoken by a loud noise in the wee hours of the morning.
“Our family had been at the Huntington Reservoir since 7:30 a.m. assisting with the Huntington Ultra Frigid Fifty,” said JoAnn Bird, “enjoying a day of ultra running and the beautiful weather.”
Bird and her family had been serving in an aid station for hundreds of runners where they provided music, soup, sandwiches and beverages.
“We felt fortunate to be tucked in the house on Saturday evening, just minutes ahead of the rain storm approaching,” she said.
At about 2 a.m. the family’s rest was interrupted by a loud noise and a jolt. What Bird describes as straight line winds had blown a very large, old tree into the family’s home.
The power went out, we did not know the extent of the damages till sunrise,” Bird said. “We could tell with flashlights the tree was not in a normal position.”
“We felt fortunate that no one was hurt…just shaken up a bit,” she said.