Uprooted Tree Still Rests on West Hempstead Home

UPDATE - Patch learned Wednesday afternoon that the tree that had been resting on this West Hempstead home has since been removed with minimal damage to the property.

More than two days after Hurricane Irene hit Long Island, the Myers home in West Hempstead continues to serve as a leaning post for a large, uprooted tree.

Tangled inside its branches are the power lines for his neighbor's home, which lost electricity when the curbside tree came crashing down on Colony Street during Sunday's storm.

It's one of 11 that still remained in West Hempstead Tuesday afternoon, as the area continues to recover from the brutal tropical storm. The Town of Hempstead had already hauled away 19 of the 30 that fell in the community.

"About 800 trees were reported down across the Town of Hempstead during Tropical Storm Irene, of which the town has removed over 600," a Town spokesman said Tuesday.

The 55 mph winds were reponsible for knocking out power to hundreds of homes throughout West Hempstead and Lakeview. Although many were back on the grid Tuesday, 456 in West Hempstead and 114 in Lakeview were still waiting for their electricity to be restored.

Report Downed Trees:

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Murray's Helpline: 516-489-6000

(If electrical wires involved.) Long Island Power Authority: 800-490-0075

Remember: Never touch or go near any downed wire. Assume any downed wire is a live electric wire and report it immediately 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to LIPA.