Thought I'd share my story...

I was printing out my student's photos on the computer and mounting them on boards.  All day we were getting thunderstorm warnings and the skies clouded.  Then the thunder and lightning started up.  I was sitting upstairs working while Dante played with his toys.  I heard what sounded like a freight train and then bam!  The whole house shook. 

I said, "That was freaky."  I grabbed Dante and hauled downstairs to wait out the wind gust.  Debris and rocks hit the side of the house.  I told Dante to stay away from the windows.  After 15 minutes passed, I peered out the window and noticed my deck was full of tree limbs.  I waited a few more minutes and went outside.  3 trees broke in half.  One of them fell on an alder and was lodged in it. 

I would like to know if thunderstorms can cause funnel clouds and take out things in isolated areas.  Does anyone know anything about that?  All the other trees in my ravine were fine...it was just the patch between my yard and the neighbor's.  I did not see signs of lightning.  No burn marks were found anywhere.  I use to live in Arizona and have witnessed lightning striking trees and saguaros.  It is obvious. 

However, I have read about thunderstorms and funnel clouds (which are not tornados because they don't touch down).  However, is it posible a funnel cloud could rip off the tops of trees in isolated areas?

The damage from the debris has put several other trees in compromising situations.  The wind took out one entire tree and topped off others like it ripped them or snapped them in half.  Weird stuff.

Okay...if any of you have answers, I would love to hear them or your storm stories.

xo,
t