SALISBURY — Brenda and Joe Linn were startled Wednesday morning to find a tree in their backyard that had been toppled by a gust of wind and crashed into their two-story brick home.

The home, located on Travis Lane, sustained damage to the skylight, attic and back deck. Several tree limbs were scattered near the garage and had blown over the house and into the front yard. A large limb blocked the garage door, making it impossible for Joe to move his car.

Brenda was eating breakfast in the back part of the home and ran toward the front when she heard the tree snap.

The tree fell onto an outbuilding that Joe used to house yard equipment, including his brand new lawnmower.

The couple, who have lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, said the wind wasn’t particularly strong, but it was enough to bring down a tree. This isn’t the first tree to become uprooted. About five or six years ago, another one fell in their backyard.

The couple had a bad experience with a tree removal service at that time so they hope to rely mostly on the kindness of neighbors to clean up the tree limbs.

The tree fell about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. About 30 minutes later, the two were outside trying to get pictures for their insurance company.

The Linns were not injured.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.