Powerful Storms Leave Toppled Trees, Flooded Streets In Rockland County
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBS 2) -- Wild and dangerous weather caused quite a scare in parts of the Tri-State on Friday, as thunderstorms left toppled trees and flooding in their wake.
It was a fast-moving system that sent trees into homes and left cars trapped in water that got a little bit too high. The weather sent residents of New City, in Rockland County, scrambling, reports CBS 2's Sean Hennessey.
"It was like a huge explosion," homeowner Mel Israel said.
Israel and his wife, Marilyn, were in the den with friends as the storm grew in ferocity.
"I said to my friends and my husband, 'I think we better get out of here,' and we literally went five steps into the kitchen," Marilyn said.
Moments later, a tree toppled onto the back of their home.
"I couldn't believe it is what really went through my mind," she said. "I felt like I was in a nightmare – this couldn't be happening."
The tree was carted away Friday night. Nearby, others relived Mother Nature's madness.
"I started grabbing the kids, and bringing them to the basement just to be safe," Emanuel Giachetti said.
Giachetti said he knows he's lucky. A massive tree ruined a playset, but missed his home.
"There's a good nine or 10 trees in the backyard that snapped in half," he said. "I mean, just snapped the tops of them like snapping a pencil, lifted them up and threw them all over the place."
"It was just unbelievable that it happened," Mel Israel added.
The Israels said they know it could have been much worse. Property can be replaced, but not people.
"If we wouldn't have stepped away, it wouldn't have been good," said Marilyn Israel.
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