CLEARWATER, Fla. — An enormous tree fell on a car and a home in Clearwater Tuesday morning.
Giant tree falls on car, residence on South Myrtle Avenue. Thankfully no injuries. Major damage to one unit. PD and FD are on scene. pic.twitter.com/wAu0BTMADr
— @clearwaterfire (@clearwaterfire) July 10, 2018
It happened at 1537 South Myrtle Ave. The property is owned by Community Service Foundation. They help families find affordable housing in Pinellas County. Perry Bean is the executive director of the nonprofit. He said they own about 130 properties in the county.
The tree fell on the northernmost unit of the triplex. One unit suffered major damage and two people were in the home at the time. Fortunately, they were able to escape and no injuries were reported.
"As soon as he came out, the tree crashed down and he was up underneath, but he crawled out," Carla Roundtree said.
Roundtree is on vacation, visiting family, in the unit two doors down from the worst damage. Her family is impacted by it too.
Bean said the entire building has been deemed unsafe.
"It's just blessed to be alive. I mean that's the most important thing," Roundtree said.
Officials have not released information about why the tree may have collapsed today.
"We were literally scared to go outside and see what it was," Roundtree said.
Bean said losing the three units is a huge setback for the nonprofit, as it is already challenging placing families in the area.
"Pinellas County has been in (an) affordable housing crisis for a long time now and that's where our organization specializes in. (We specialize) in helping families avoid homelessness by providing them a safe, clean, affordable housing," Bean said.
The three families displaced are being taken care of and have a place to stay right now. The organization will keep assisting them until they find permanent housing for them.
According to officials, if you have a tree you want an arborist to inspect because you are concerned about it, even if it is on private property, you can call the City of Clearwater.
Officials say they do not have any record of anyone contacting them to report issues with the tree.
