A FAMILY have told of their worry when the wind picks up after a huge tree fell on the roof of their Herefordshire home.

Mum-of-three Michelle Duque was asleep just feet away from where a 100-ft tree crashed onto her home in Leominster, waking her, as well as her son, partner and neighbours.

She said she is still not sleeping or eating properly almost two weeks after the roof and walls of the end-terrace house were damaged in Storm Arwen.

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Ms Duque is now waiting to hear what will happen about the repairs. She said the tall trees that run along the back of the houses at the nearby estate had been a concern to residents for 20 years.

“It affects you. You hear of a storm and you think, ‘Is there a tree about?’,” she said.

“I know the neighbours are all jittery about the stretch along the back it. I’m not eating or sleeping properly. It does affect you.”

Hereford Times: Michelle Duque and her eight-year-old son Adam Hamilton at their temporary accommodation in Leominster. Picture: Rob Davies Michelle Duque and her eight-year-old son Adam Hamilton at their temporary accommodation in Leominster. Picture: Rob Davies

The family – which includes eight-year-old Adam – had to step out onto a pile of rubble as they tried to escape the house, but they were only able to after a neighbour used a chainsaw to get rid of tree boughs blocking the door.

The fire service and police were also called when the tree fell at around 1am on Saturday, November 27, with fears over the structural safety of the home.

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It left a gaping hole in the gable end, which has since been covered by tarpaulin until repairs can be carried out on behalf of housing association Stonewater.

Hereford Times: The devastation at Michelle Duque's home in Leominster which was damaged when a tree fell during Storm Arwen The devastation at Michelle Duque's home in Leominster which was damaged when a tree fell during Storm Arwen

“I was in the back room at the time, but if I had been over that side of the house it could have been a different story maybe,” Ms Duque said as she recalled the frightening experience.

“The front room was empty. My mum often sleeps in there but she wasn’t there that night.

“If we were in the attic at the time we wouldn’t be here now, and if the tree had come down anywhere other than the gable, it would have gone straight through the roof very easily.”

  • We are not publishing the full address at the request of the family.