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A father’s intuition saves family after tree smashes Brandermill home

Posted at 9:33 PM, Mar 12, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-13 10:49:21-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR)--Severe weather moving through Central Virginia Tuesday was accompanied by strong wind gusts, and one Brandermill oak tree couldn't stand against the storm.

Tragedy was narrowly averted, although a home is now uninhabitable after a neighbor's huge tree crashed down on the right side of the house in the 13200 block of Gates Post Court.

The family was safe  because they'd just left the home before the incident.  Jeremy Jacobson said the tree came crashing down right where he and his two girls, ages six and seven, would have been watching television.

Jacobson, a single father, said just five minutes before the family made a last minute decision to go out for dinner.

His truck and the neighbor's minivan were also hit by the tree.

For now, the family will be staying with relatives. Their cat, Chloe, has been missing since the tree came down.

The National Weather service said to anticipate winds Tuesday evening up to 45 mph in Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Louisa, and other counties.

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