NewsLocal News

Actions

Storm knocks down two trees near church playground

Posted at 6:54 AM, Jul 01, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-01 06:54:51-04

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Yvonne Henry spent Saturday cleaning up the mess left behind after two trees toppled over just feet away from her church’s playground Friday. She said she’s grateful no kids were playing here.

“If kids was there it would be worse,” she said. “Nobody got hurt, so it’s a blessing.”

The trees fell at Cape Assembly Church in Cape Coral after strong winds swept across the city during a tornado advisory for Lee and Charlotte counties.

Henry said divine intervention stopped the tree from falling on the playground.

“This is God Himself. No man can do this. Because God Himself said let me go that way instead of go that way,” she said.

The arborist cleaning up the aftermath of the fallen tree closest to the playground said when the wind ripped that tree up by its roots, it tossed playground's gate up into the air, ripping it off its hinges.

Pastor Michael Carter said both sides of the playground are off limits for now. But volunteers are working to make it safe for kids ASAP.

“Many volunteers got together last night to make sure that there would be no interruption in the playground by the start of next week,” he said.

Church members also worked to clean up another tree completely uprooted by the storm. it fell on the other side of the playground. Henry said the storm brought the church community together.

“When things like this happen, we see the good in people,” she said.

Pastor Carter said both trees will be removed by Monday.