Communities throughout the Twin Tiers continued recovery efforts from storm damage in the region this week.
Severe weather downed power lines and trees at the beginning of the July fourth weekend.
One of the hardest hit areas was Susquehanna, Pennsylvania where more than a thousand homes were without power for several days.
Ruth Burke and her husband have lived in the same house in the borough for more than 40 years.
“The wind was so strong it was pushing the door,” Susquehanna resident Ruth Burke said. “It wouldn’t even let me open the door. And branches were blowing onto our front porch here. And I heard the crash of the large tree in our yard.”
Burke is referring to an enormous maple tree that crashed down next to the Burke’s house. It did not hit their house but another tree came close.
A tall pine tree on the other side of the house smashed into the Burke’s shed and garage, which is attached to their house.
Burke said the power went out immediately and then the storm was over in 15 minutes.
“The wires were ripped right off our house,” she said. “The electricity was ripped right off the house. And, many telephone poles and trees were down along every street in town. We were basically locked in because you couldn’t get up and down the street.”
Their street remained partially blocked for nearly a week.
Burke said they were fortunate because they have a generator. However, some people are still unable to be in their homes because of the severe damage left by the storm.
Power was restored to the Burke’s house on Sunday.
The American Red Cross of Western New York, Southern Tier Chapter has been in the area since last week. They reported the storm brought rain, hail and high winds.
The organization will be in Susquehanna on Saturday and Monday at the Lanesboro Community Center. Anyone needing assistance is asked to bring a photo ID and proof of residence in order to receive assistance.