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Violent Storm Damages Bridgton Homes

July 29, 2008 - BRIDGTON -- Violent storms passing through New Hampshire and Maine Thursday may have spawned a funnel cloud in Bridgton near Woods Pond.

Alan Barton, of Walled Lake, Mich., the owner of a summer home was at home during the storm.

“The sound was just tremendous,” said Barton, adding that the damage was done within a few minutes. “It was so quick,” he said.

Barton had just finished remodeling his cottage when the storm hit. He and his wife bought the cottage in December and Barton, who is a retired builder, said he has been working on house seven days a week for the last 10 weeks.

Within those few minutes, trees fell through the roof and porch of Barton’s house, causing water damage.

Down the road, Barton’s neighbors also suffered damage to their summer homes. After hearing of the storm, several residents drove up from their year-round homes to assess and clean up the damage.

Adding to the frustration, one neighbor, Cheryl McDonald, said several new power tools were missing from their shed. She thought looters had broken in through the destroyed roof during the night.

McDonald, who has been coming up to Woods Pond since 1970 said the damage was worse than the ice storm of 1998.

Woods Pond is bordered on the south by Route 117 and sits to the west of downtown Bridgton. Although there is no official confirmation a funnel cloud formed, the National Weather Service is investigating the cause of the damage.

By Julia Davis
jdavis@keepmecurrent.com July 25, 2008


Lakes: Woods Pond
Regions: Sebago


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