BILLINGS - Most people in south-central Montana witnessed Tuesday night's heavy storm, but residents at Billings' Meadowlark Trailer Court felt the affects more than most. The trailer park formerly known as Blain's trailer Court was hit hard with winds and rain during the storm. Residents say they'll be cleaning up damage for a long time.
The storm came on fast and strong Tuesday night, and then just as quickly it was gone. Here at Meadowlark Trailer Court, the damage will last a little longer. "It was just unreal. Okay one minute and the next minute it was here. My place was just rocking back and forth and you couldn't see to the street the wind was so bad." says resident Patricia Zwickel. "We have a lot of water we're trying to dry up and there's a hole from the roof all the way through the kitchen ceiling." says another resident Jennifer Bowling.
Even with all the damage, Kulr-8's meteorologist Ed Mctells us winds were only about 40 miles per hour. He says it was the combination of rain and wind in such a short period that caused so much damage. One trailer's roof was completely blown off, it fell on the trailer next door, putting a hole in the ceiling. The park's manager says she's never seen such damage here before, and she's doing everything she can to help residents recover. "We've hired four extra people to come in. the head of maintenance is repairing the roofs that are repairable." says manager Sherry Danielson. But some aren't so sure they'll get the help they need. "As far as I'm concerned they should be down here cleaning this up. I rent the lot, but I don't know how that goes as far as cleaning up the trees." says Zwickel. Untill then they'll do their best to clean up themselves. Patricia says she's sure her neighbors will lend a hand.
As bad as some of the damage looks, no one was hurt in the park during the storm.