DECATUR, Mich. — WARNING: Graphic accounts and photos of injuries included in this story.
A Southwest Michigan family is recounting the harrowing moment high winds sent a tree piercing through their home’s ceiling during Thursday night’s severe storm, leaving one family member injured. Moreover, roads surrounding the home were blocked by downed trees which caused an issue for first responders.
Robbie and Tanya Watford said the incident happened suddenly around 10:40 p.m. at their home in Keeler Township, west of Decatur. They said the storm was notably starting to pick up and Robbie had just walked into the bedroom where Tanya was lying down and mentioned they should head to the basement. Seconds later, they say, before Tanya even had a chance to lift her head off of her pillow, a tree came piercing into the room from the ceiling, missing Tanya’s head by mere inches and shoving into Robbie.
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The couple’s daughters and granddaughter were in the home at the time, and heard the loud crash, but were not injured. They did, however, rush into action to help their parents – providing first aid to their dad and offering reassurance to their mom who was distraught…