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Couple Stuck With Tree on House Can't Find Help

By: Jennifer Rizzi Email
Posted: Fri 11:51 PM, Jul 27, 2012

PUTNAM COUNTY, W. Va. (WSAZ) -- Jim and Hope Coleman of Winfield can barely recognize the home they've owned for years -- and wonder if they ever will again.

A century-old tree crashed onto the roof of their house after it was knocked down by the June 29 derecho. And it's remained there for almost a month -- despite the Colemans' repeated efforts to seek help.

"People have come and looked at it from the county government all the way up to the federal government," Jim said. "They always say they can't do anything about it because it's a liability ... which doesn't help us."

The tree's fall was partially blocked by another tree on the opposite side of their house. That continues to support part of the fallen tree, but the Colemans aren't sure how long that will last.

"We don't know when it might continue to fall," Hope said. "We don't want it to fall into out neighbor's house. We don't want it to tear the rest of our house down."

Jim says he just needs help lifting the giant trunk -- and will tackle the rest of the cleanup himself.

"It's just too heavy to lift," he said. "That's my only concern. If I can get the tree off the house, then I can repair the house."


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