Windstorm topples 100-foot tree onto Whitefish home

A large tree fell onto a home in Whitefish on Tuesday evening while the occupants were inside, but no injuries were sustained.

That afternoon and into the evening, winds gusted up to 28 miles per hour in Whitefish, according to weather reports. The high winds combined with recent moisture in the region are believed to have caused the large evergreen tree, estimated to be around 100 feet tall, to fall and subsequently damage the house on Lupfer Avenue.

Owners of the house, Pippi Robben and her boyfriend Kolby Zugg, said the tree caused significant damage when it fell into the living room. Zugg was in the room sitting in a recliner chair when he heard creaking and saw from the window the tree beginning to fall. He dove out of the chair, which was in the direct path of the tree, according to Robben.

Robben said she had just gotten into the shower in the other room when she heard the crash.

“He was in his green chair recliner and I was soaping up my hair when the loud crash happened,” Robben recalled. “It sounded like an earthquake.”

“He (Zugg) was right in the line of fire and we’ve got these heavy beams, and it crashed down,” she added.

The Whitefish Fire Department responded that evening and the company Complete Restoration was on the scene Wednesday morning working to remove the tree. Several neighbors were at the house Wednesday to support Robben and Zugg. The damage will likely be thousands of dollars.

Robben said she paid off the house last year and unfortunately during that time a miscommunication happened which caused an apparent lapse in home insurance. The damage to the house will have to be paid out of pocket.

The couple is working through many challenges currently including Zugg’s fight with bone cancer. Zugg recently had his leg amputated because of the cancer spreading and during that time other matters were pushed aside, said Robben.

“Because of everything happening in life with cancer and traveling to Spokane, Washington for things, for some reason that information hadn’t crossed paths, so my insurance lapsed,” she said.

Robben has lived in the house on Lupfer Avenue for 20-plus years and she founded the Northwind Shirt Company, which she recently sold to have more time to help Zugg after he was diagnosed.

Zugg is a Montana-born and raised professional skateboarder. He has influenced several skateboarders across the state and celebrated his pro-model board release last month. Zugg is also tirelessly working to design and create a new skateboard park in Troy, where his mother lives. He is working with Dreamland to create the skatepark and they are set to break ground on the project in early May.

Zugg’s battle with cancer started around three years ago and last fall cancer reoccurred, according to Robben. A fundraiser was set up last October for Zugg through GoFundMe to help with medical costs and home adjustments following the amputation of his leg. Robben said that is the best way to get in touch with them for those that would like to help.

“Kolby has been an inspiration to many younger skateboarders, as well as us older folks who call him a best friend…” the description on the GoFundMe page reads. “...Beyond skateboarding, Kolby is a kind, caring, and thoughtful human. Having lived in Libby, Kalispell, Whitefish, and Missoula, his presence has been a dear part of our lives for decades.”

Robben said she and Zugg have been through a lot lately but is hopeful that, despite the damage to the house and dealing with significant health issues, the couple can make their way through it all.

For more information or to donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/lets-support-kolby.