A fallen tree, caused by Storm Eowyn, threatens a woman’s home in Scotland, prompting fears of collapse and property damage.
Chiara heard crashing sounds during the storm. Police told her to prepare to leave after the storm, named Eowyn, caused the tree to fall. It damaged her roof and the pavement.
The tree now leans against her house’s side in Inverkeithing, Fife. She tried to get the council’s help, but has had no luck so far.
Chiara said everyone stayed inside that night. She heard tiles falling off her roof, and neighbors alerted the police to the danger. Police arrived at her door around 6 PM.
Police said the tree’s roots were exposed and that the tree scraped against her roof. They advised her to stay inside, and told her she might need to leave if it fell. She was scared after the police visit.
She avoided her bedroom on their advice, and slept in her living room for a couple nights. The tree leaned against her house instead of crushing it, and this closeness may have lessened damage.
Chiara and her neighbors contacted Fife Council, asking for help with the tree. Nothing has happened to fix it, and she fears strong winds could make it fall.
Chiara called the council on Saturday after the storm and waited on hold for two hours. She understood they were busy, and they said they would handle it that weekend.
The council never arrived that weekend. Neighbors also contacted the council, and they got the same answer as Chiara: The council would deal with it eventually. This is frustrating for everyone.
The ongoing situation is doing more harm to her home. She worries about the harm to her and neighbors.
She hears the tree scraping her house on windy nights which is causing further damage, she said. She cannot repair the roof until the tree is removed, and the insurance company said that they cannot proceed with the case.
The longer the tree stays, the more damage may occur. If the tree falls, it could destroy her house’s front, and her downstairs neighbor’s property could also get damaged. The tree is massive and poses a big threat to the neighbors.
The Fife Council said they will remove the tree, citing public safety as the reason for action. They explained that it’s a privately owned tree.