Two homes destroyed when tree falls

MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. -- A trailer was destroyed and another badly damaged Sunday morning, when a huge oak tree fell over in an RV park just north of Myrtle Creek.

No one was injured when the tree fell over onto the two trailers in the Rivers West RV Park along the South Umpqua River.

Both trailers were being used as permanent residences, but the woman who lived in the trailer that was completely smashed was in California on a job at the time.

Ron Williams was home reading a book in the other trailer when the tree came down on his roof.

It also damaged his car and his pickup in front of his trailer. "I was sitting in my chair reading a book, and there was a big bang and here I am," he said. "The house is gone, the car's gone, the pickups gone, and I gotta figure out what to do with stuff. It scared the crap out of me."

Williams says he's always been a little concerned about the big oak trees, but he says he never expected something like that. "We worry about all these trees all the time, but you know, it's one of those things, nature's going to take its course and I want to live by the river," he said. "You take your chances and you win some, and you lose some."

The park is owned by the Cow Creek Tribe, and Williams says a representative told him that because it was an act of God, they were not liable for any of the damage.

Williams does have insurance, but he says it will only cover up to $10,000, and he just paid off the trailer with a $12,000 payment.

Williams was able to save much of his property inside the trailer, and he was just thankful that he was not injured.

Some of the residents at the park told KPIC News that they have been trying to get park officials to trim down some of the larger trees and take out some of the dead ones. They're hoping maybe this incident will spur them into doing that.