MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A woman was taken to a hospital Thursday morning after a large tree fell on a house in the University area of East Memphis.

The tree came down on the house in the 500 block of Shotwell near Southern Avenue around 6 a.m., as strong storms passed through the area late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.

“I know the lightning woke me up and I heard a big ‘boom,’ and then the power flickered on and shut off, and I heard a scream,” said resident Clara Mashburn.

The person crying out for help was Mashburn’s roommate, who was trapped by a fallen tree that landed on her roommate’s bed.

“It’s a miracle she’s alive and everything. She’s good,” Mashburn said.

Mashburn pushed open her roommate’s door, allowing first responders to then take over once they arrived.

The tree affected three properties on the block. It uprooted in one yard, fell across a neighboring house and touched a third house.

Until the house is repaired, the three people who lived there will have to find somewhere else to stay.    

“We built a sisterhood, so it’s really sad this is happening,” Mashburn said.

The storms that likely brought down the tree also caused flash flooding for commuters Thursday morning. Drivers were seen stopped on Interstate 240 in the Medical District, some walking or trying to push their cars through the water.

Areas from Hernando to Hughes to Covington saw flash flooding and trees down Thursday, according to damage reports.