x
Breaking News
More () »

'We just need your help': Monroe County family's home badly damaged by fallen trees

Monday morning's storms ripped through the intersection of Collier & Smith Road, one of the hardest hit areas in the county

MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — It's a clear blue and sunny Monday now, but the uprooted trees in Monroe County tell a different story of what happened overnight.

Sonny Hopper lives in the house near the Collier and Smith Road intersection, which was right in the storm's path.

"We were pretty much half asleep and my mom comes in rushing saying that we need to get out and that the tornadoes are headed straight here," she said.

Her sister, brother and mother took cover at a neighbor's house just before the storm hit.

"We stayed in the basement until it said we were clear, but we stayed there for about 30-40 minutes," Hopper said.

They returned, to find their home was destroyed in that time.

"So we rushed over here, we were really upset to see the house because that's where family and friends all gather around, so that was really heartbreaking for us," Hopper said.

Three massive trees fell and one crashed through the roof.

"Mainly the part of the house that was really affected was my sister's room, Lana. Her whole bedroom, that whole wall the right side of the wall has fallen down and her closet, you walk outside from the closet, and there is the ground," she said.

Hopper says they've retrieved most of their belongings, but the damage may be too bad to fix.

"I mean it was our home, that's where we made a bunch of memories. I mean it was hard work to get the house. We all worked all together just to get that house, and it's just heartbreaking that it's all gone and there's nothing we can do about it," she said.

She says they're blessed no one was hurt.

"[We] just need your help, support and love and prayers," she said.

About half a dozen trees were uprooted on that property.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said Collier Road was one of the county's hardest hit areas.

RELATED HEADLINES

'It makes you appreciate life': Upson County home picked up by storm, dropped onto highway

North Macon sustains most severe damage in Bibb County

Easter storms sweep across the South, killing at least 19 people

Before You Leave, Check This Out