Trees Smash Into Hopatcong Home, Family OK

Just hours before the power went out on Saturday, Oct. 29, during the second devastating storm in two months, Christine Nicotra, of Hudson Ave., Hopatcong, was relaxing in her home with heat, light and all the usual amentities of modern life.

When they lost power at 3 p.m., she, her husband and two small children found refuge at the Quality Inn in Ledgewood, until it too lost power.

Returning home almost 24 hours later, she and her family were shocked to find half of their home destroyed by a towering tree that had fallen across the house, and another tree piercing the interior of their home.

"It basically speared our living room. It took out half of our house and destroyed the chimney," said Nicotra. 

She said her two children ages six and eight referred to the house as "broken." 

"Strangely enough, the tree hit just where I was sitting before the power went out," said Nicotra. 

The family has again taken refuge, this time at her mother's home in Long Valley which has power and heat. 

Nicotra said they are uncertain at this time when they will be able to live in the home again. 

She said she is grateful that she heeded her husband's intuition to leave the house when the power went out. 

Nicotra said, "It could have been a catastrophe. But we are safe and just fine, and we have a lot to be thankful for."