'We have lost everything': Family home in Falmouth destroyed by fallen tree during Storm Goretti

Birds eye view of the destruction of the family's home.

A Cornish family has been left homeless after their house was destroyed when a tree crashed through it during Storm Goretti.

The storm brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning for “dangerous” winds across the South West.

Emily Hotchkiss and her family are now in temporary accommodation in Falmouth, arranged by Cornwall Council’s housing service.

The family faces an uncertain few months ahead and have been told they’ll need to move between several different temporary properties before securing permanent housing around March. Their current rental is only available until tomorrow.

Emily's house was destroyed after a tree fell onto it.

Recalling the terrifying moment the tree smashed through their home, Mrs Hotchkiss told ITV News: “We as parents haven’t processed the trauma, it’s going to take a very, very long time.

"We are just in survival mode. I'm not sleeping. I'm not eating. If I try and sleep, I just picture the children deceased in their beds, and all I hear is their screams. I can't even describe the trauma that we've been through.''

The family haven’t been able to retrieve their possessions from the property due to the damage.

“We’d just love to see if any of the children’s toys or teddies are salvageable, but from what we’ve glimpsed, their bedrooms and ours are completely destroyed", she said.

The family says the trees have long been a concern for residents on the estate.

"For many years residents have voiced concerns about those trees, people that have been there since the 60s, when those houses were built, have long had concerns and have long shared those concerns with Cornwall Council", she said.

"I've been told, there will be a review and lessons will be learnt, it's a bit late for that in my opinion, this did not need to happened.

"I know on the estate there is a lot of anger because they [residents] had previously shared those concerns."

Emily describes the destruction caused by the storm as "traumatic".

The local community has rallied round, setting up a GoFundMe page to help the family get back on their feet, support that Mrs Hotchkiss says has meant the world, despite her reluctance to ask for help.

"I've really had to swallow my pride. I've never asked for any kind of support or handout in my life", she said.

"I've always worked, and now I'm 30 and homeless and we have nothing. Everything we've worked for, everything we've put into that house is gone."

The family did not have house insurance, a decision Mrs Hotchkiss says she regrets but was a choice she had to make.

“I hold my hands up, I made the mistake of not getting insurance. But when you’re both working and there’s no money left at the end of the month, and it’s a choice between food and insurance, what are you going to choose?”

The donations are being used to replace the children’s toys and clothes and to buy food.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

In a statement, Cornwall Council said: "We have been working closely with the family from the outset to ensure they are fully supported.

"Emergency temporary accommodation was provided immediately, and we have secured further housing from Friday, in partnership with the family, ahead of a planned move to another permanent Cornwall Housing property which meets the family’s needs in a few weeks' time.

"We are working with the family to support them with this move and help them settle into their new home.''