A fast-moving storm left a wake of destruction on Tuesday in the Tamaqua area, keeping residents and emergency responders on their toes.

In Tamaqua, reports indicated a large tree down at the intersection of North Lehigh and West Rowe streets at approximately 4:30 p.m. There, South Ward Fire Company, Tamaqua borough workers and Tamaqua police worked to reroute local traffic and remove the tree, which fell from the sidewalk area out in front of 102 N. Lehigh St. According to fire officials, the downed tree caused no damage to any of the surrounding properties or overhead wires.

In Barnesville, a downed tree limb came crashing down onto two garages at 21 Bittner Road, causing a headache for property owners Mae and Joe Bittner and tenant Corey Thompson.

The three say they were watching the storm roll through the valley from the covered porch of the house, when suddenly a loud bang rang through the air. The tree limb subsequently crashed into the roofs of the two garages, crushing two of the three roofing support beams in the nearest garage, puncturing the roof of the far garage and ripping down electrical lines.

Aside from the two buildings and wires, there was no other damage from the tree falling.

“I’ve lived here a good portion of 88 years and this is something you don’t see too often. I’m not happy about the garage, but I know insurance will do its part. I’m just thankful no one got hurt,” she said. “It was incredible and terrifying — (the tree crashing) sounded like a freight train — and in the blink of an eye it was on the garages.”

Also in Barnesville, another tree fell onto wires along Route 54.