Massive tree crashes into Rogers Park home during Friday storms

What began as a Fourth of July weekend quickly turned into cleanup for one Rogers Park family after a towering tree crashed into their home during Friday's severe storms, leaving a giant spear of wood protruding from the roof, damaging multiple cars and forcing them to spend the night catching rainwater in buckets.

Their daughter gave the damaged house a fitting nickname: the "unicorn house."

Julio Ramirez said the storm arrived with little warning Friday afternoon.

"All of a sudden, the sky turned dark... there was a big flash in the sky... then the whole house shook, and there was a lot of wood flying."

When the family stepped outside, they found a tree, which Ramirez estimated was about three feet in diameter, had split apart in to pieces. One massive limb stretched across the street, crushing parked vehicles, while another piece pierced the roof of their home. Debris landed in the backyard pool, and a neighboring deck was also damaged.

Ramirez described the piece lodged in the roof as resembling a giant wooden arrow.

"It looked just like an arrow... made out of wood that just went through our house."

The family's biggest challenge came hours later, when another round of rain arrived.

Nicole Ramirez said she was awakened shortly after midnight by water pouring into the bedroom through the hole in the roof.

"About 12:30 a.m. I hear the rain pouring down into my bedroom... we were with buckets last night catching the rain... this morning family came out to help us... we're very grateful."

By Saturday morning, city crews were cutting up the fallen tree while relatives helped patch the damaged roof before more storms arrived. Neighbors wandered by checking in after several vehicles along the block were damaged. Nicole Ramirez estimated six to eight cars were hit, with some appearing to be total losses.

Despite the destruction, the family said they're thankful the storm struck property instead of people.

No injuries were reported.