SNOHOMISH, Wash — A powerful windstorm devastated a family's home in Snohomish Tuesday evening, leaving them displaced and facing significant financial challenges. The damage is part of widespread devastation across the community, with fallen trees and downed power lines creating hazardous conditions.
Katie Holt, her boyfriend, and their children, 3-year-old Asher and 6-year-old Alayna, narrowly escaped injury when trees fell onto their trailer home. They had left to get supplies just before the incident occurred.
"We were lucky that happened, because if we didn't go with my boyfriend to grab the chainsaw, my son would have been in the bed sleeping in the bedroom upstairs, where the tree had gone right on the bed," Holt explained.
The storm's aftermath has left the family in shock. Their home is now uninhabitable, and without insurance, they still owe $15,000 on the destroyed trailer.
"It leaves us in a place where we just pretty much have to find places to stay at until we can get a new trailer," Holt said.
Throughout Snohomish, residents are struggling with the storm's impact. Roads are closed due to fallen trees and downed utility lines, creating dangerous conditions for drivers.
"People's houses have trees on top of them. They're out of power. The power lines are down. It's so dangerous, it's ridiculous," Holt said.
Cleanup efforts are underway, with crews working to clear debris and restore services. However, the extent of the damage means recovery will take time.
Holt and her family have started a fundraiser to help them rebound and are staying with relatives in the meantime.
"There's no words to explain how we feel, but at least we have each other still," Holt said.