Trees uprooted, garage destroyed in SE Cedar Rapids

Wind gusts near 65 mph uprooted trees Friday in southeast Cedar Rapids, tearing down power lines and destroying a garage.

No injuries had been reported from the thunderstorms, which moved through about 12:15 p.m.

At least three large trees or large branches fell in the 500 block of Knollwood Drive SE, including one elm tree at the Tom and Linda Bergerson residence. The tree crashed onto the Bergerson's garage, causing the other end to rip up off the foundation.

“It sounded like a rumble, like a freight train,” Linda Bergerson said.

Bergerson said she was standing at her kitchen sink and saw a maple tree sway. She didn't realize the falling elm tree was bringing part of it down. It happened quick.

When Bergerson went out to her back yard, she saw the base of the tree with its roots and soil – about 7 feet in diameter – sticking up in the air.

None of the trees struck the house, but the garage surely will be a total loss.

Another adult tree crashed down on the other side of Anderson Park, in an alley between Fourth and Fifth avenues. The tree struck the corner of a house and ripped down power lines. Asphalt in the alley was cracked near the base of the tree.

City crews chopped up another tree that fell across Fifth Avenue near 19th Street. Over in the 1300 block of 36th Street SE, a pine tree came down, blocking part of the street and scattering pine cones. It just missed a parked car.