A 63-year-old woman died after large tree into a single-family house, killing one person in Fairfax County, Virginia.
The woman has been identified as Beverly Krizanovic of Burke.
The large red oak fell tree around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Krizanovic's husband had gone downstairs and was not hurt, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Willie Bailey. He said Krizanovic had been sitting in a chair upstairs when the tree crashed into the home.
“All of us are devastated in the neighborhood, heart breaks for the family,” said a neighbor who did not want to be identified. “It is frightening. I was honestly afraid to sleep in my bed last night."
Some neighbors are scared. The large red oak that was growing in the victim's backyard looked healthy.
The tree’s root ball had been pulled up and sideways from where it grew in the far back of the owner’s yard.
"I don’t think we’ve ever had rain like this, at least since we’ve lived here. I’s got people concerned,” added Mike.
In fact, a neighbor two doors down called certified arborist Chris Spigt from Northern Virginia Tree Experts to check on hers.
“Sometimes trees look healthy, but there can be underlying issues in the roots that causes them to the weaken. And then you get all the rain coming down which often loosens the soil and then slight breeze can knock them over. Got to maintain them. You see dead branch, fungus, things like that,” said Spigt.
He said its to trim the canopy if its too big, especially if a home is close by.
“We been here since 1980s and these trees are getting big and mature, we’re starting to look like Bethesda—all those big trees come roaring down when you get a lot of rain. Keep them trimmed. Keep them healthy or get rid of them,” said longtime resident Dick Mosier.
The community is part of the Burke Centre Conservancy, a homeowners association, which must approve both architectural and landscaping changes, including removal of trees.
