Strong storms damage homes, topple trees in Brevard County

COCOA, Fla. - Strong storms damaged homes, split trees and knocked down power lines in parts of Brevard County on Thursday, leaving residents to clean up debris scattered across their neighborhood.

The storms produced wind gusts estimated at 50 to 60 mph, according to FOX 35 meteorologists. Roofing materials, tree limbs and other debris were scattered across streets as heavy rain moved through the area.

‘I was never so scared’

What they're saying:

Angela Martin said she was home with her children when the storm moved in and began tearing pieces from her roof.

"All of a sudden, it got really dark outside," Martin said. "The wind started coming, and you could hear things hitting the side of our roof, hitting the side of our house."

Martin said a tree in her backyard split in half during the storm.

Nearby, Sally Morton was home alone when the powerful winds arrived.

"I was never so scared," Morton said. "Nothing that scares me, but this really frightened me."

Morton described the storm as sounding like a freight train and said the thunder was louder than she had ever heard. She also said she felt her trailer move as the storm passed through.

"I felt a trailer move. It did move," Morton said, adding that a large tree behind the trailer fell into the yard.

After the storm passed, neighbors used chainsaws and other equipment to clear fallen trees and debris.

"Just a lot of neighbors trying to stick together and clean up," one resident said.

Florida Power & Light crews were also in the neighborhood working around downed power lines.

No injuries were reported. Cleanup efforts continued into Thursday evening.

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