Microburst Rips Down Trees In Methuen
METHUEN (CBS) – The National Weather Service confirmed that the storm that whipped through Methuen on Thursday was a microburst.
About 20-30 trees were uprooted by the microburst, which lasted about 10 minutes in the area of Hampstead and Old Homestead.
Homeowners told WBZ-TV's Ken MacLeod that they were just settling in to watch the 5 o'clock news when the storm rolled in.
Cam Dostie's home on Hampstead Street was damaged by a pine tree that punched a hole in the roof. Despite the damage caused by the storm, he was thankful no one was hurt.
Meanwhile, homeowner Lauren Fritchy says the storm delivered a "Wizard of Oz"-type moment at her house.
"I thought the house was going to be picked up in a funnel cloud because all I could see was grey around every window," she said.
John Felci says he was still waiting for his insurance adjuster after several trees came down on his property, clipping his house and terrifying his family.
"My poor cat went under the couch," he said, adding that the storm was "unbelievable" for 30-to-35 seconds.
The National Weather Service said winds reached about 70 MPH.
"You couldn't see anything. You couldn't see across the parking lot. It came in hard and fast," a Methuen firefighter told WBZ News Radio 1030's Carl Stevens.
"Within 10 minutes it was over. Next thing you know we were running around. Trees down, we were just diverting traffic around. Luckily there weren't any injuries or anything."
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One resident told Stevens the high winds were dramatic to watch from the safety of her home.
"I expected the wicked witch of the west to come sailing by. The wind and the rain going by the windows was amazing. It was just looking like movies of a tornado," the woman said.
Another resident who lives on Old Homestead Road said that while the damage was unsettling, he was glad there were no injuries reported.
"It's not good. I guess it could have been worse. No one was hurt, which is the blessing," the man said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
