FALLS CHURCH, Va. (WUSA) - "It sounded like a train or artillary fire," said Sam Beatty about the sounds during the height of Friday night's violent storm. It left a huge tree blocking Great Falls right near the police station and community center. The man who lives in the house the crashing tree side-swiped heard it come down.

"Another foot and we would be sleeping with angels," said Greg Follin.

Around the corner an old oak tree thankfully fell toward the street instead of a home, but the pickup truck it hit is toast.

"The good news is it didn't hit the golf clubs," said Mike Wolf.

Everywhere you look, branches and trees are down. The strong winds left some with twisted, ugly, bare spires pointing to the sky. On the ground, branches with the bark ripped off and pieces of fresh wood sticking like daggers into the dirt.

"I have never seen it so bad. I've been driving around and there are roads blocked and many trees down," said Pam Godet who lives just outside Falls Church city.

Many in Falls Church feel the resident were lucky nobody was hurt, given the amount of large trees down.

And this, late this afternoon from the city:

Falls Church Water Utility pumping stations are on emergency back-up power. As a result, customers may notice low water pressure. The water remains safe and drinkable, but customers are asked to voluntarily conserve water. Please do not use water in unnecessary ways today, including washing cars and watering lawns. Water main breaks should be reported immediately to 703-248-5044.