*Photos by Carolyn Maxwell

PERTH AMBOY – On Saturday, April 2, 2016 a severe storm hit the local area. Above are 3 photos showing an old tree that was toppled during the storm. The tree was described as being between 50 and 75 feet tall and on a vacant property next door. The fallen tree damaged the house and a car which was parked on the property on Garretson Avenue. According to the homeowner’s son, Jerome Billings no one inside of the house was injured. “Praise the Lord!” he said.

Billings contacted the Mayor’ s Office about the tree falling down on his mother’s house and car. Mayor’s Aide Irving Lozada was dispatched right away to assess the situation. Lozada said, “Code Enforcement and the Department of Public Works will be sent out immediately to assess the damage and take proper action to insure the safety of the Residents of the damaged home.” 

Lozada and Billings said, “The owner of the empty lot that the tree came from had 3 days to remove the tree. As of Monday morning, 4/11/16 (when the paper went to print), the tree had not been touched.

Woodbridge resident Jerome Billings (L) with Perth Amboy Mayor’s Aide Irving Lozada (R).