Storm ravages homes, buildings in RVA | News

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The storm may have been brief, but it certainly proved battering for areas of Richmond.

Part of the roof blew off from the Department of Taxation building on Westmoreland Street. A tree smashed into the front of a Church Hill home on Chimborazo Boulevard.  In Shockoe Bottom, whipping winds blew a gaping hole on through nearly an entire side of a vacant building on 21st and Franklin Streets.

Perhaps the most stunning damage struck a home on Monument Avenue. A 300-foot, massive tree toppled on top of the house. Owner Carl Archacki said he just moved back in to his home two weeks ago, after a fire tore through it a year and a half earlier.

"I drove here and found this huge Willow Oak tree in my sun room," said Archacki of leaving work after he was notified that his house alarm went off because of the crash.

Archacki said the city's arborist wouldn't let him pay to have the tree cut down a month ago, since it was on Richmond's property.

"Now I have to start a whole rebuilding process again because I was denied to remove it (the tree) myself," added Archacki.

Archacki said he knew the tree was a threat, not only because it was leaning towards the house, but because he researched that the Willow Oak has a very shallow root system.

"I understood it was a healthy tree, but I also said these have very shallow root bulbs," explained Archacki.

Archacki said he plans on waiting another six months before he can move back into his home, as the new damage is repaired.      

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