A Connecticut man died in a “strange accident” during a storm

The storm came “quite suddenly with dramatic winds,” said the fire chief.

And when it happened, it cost Willimantic resident Jamal McWilliams his life.

McWilliams died when a tree fell on him during a severe storm on the night of June 26. He was 53 years old and living on homelessness.

McWilliams had been living at the Windham No Freeze Project, a staffed facility that provides seasonal frost-free housing. According to the organization, it is also a year-round hospitality center where people can get help finding housing and getting back on their feet, showering, obtaining personal and hygiene items, accessing community services and more. McWilliams’ death sent shockwaves through those who knew him.

Leaders of the Windham No Freeze Project say the tragedy highlights the growing problem of homelessness across the state.

By the end of 2023, data from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness showed that there were more than 1,000 homeless people in the state – the highest number ever recorded, they said.

The biweekly homeless report, updated in mid-December, found that 1,021 homeless people in the state were unsheltered. That group included more than 260 adults over the age of 55 and 65 children under the age of 18.

CT reaches highest level of homelessness on record. A baby was born in a homeless shelter; people die

Advocates warned at the time that the actual number of residents who became homeless was likely higher because the report only included people who came into contact with and were screened by the state’s homeless assistance system.

Avery Lenhart, executive director of the Windham No Freeze Project, said the shelter has known McWilliams for several months and her staff has developed a close bond with him.

Lenhart was among about 40 people who attended McWilliams’ celebration of life in Windham on Sunday. She said he was from Long Beach, California.

“Jamal’s family came and we were happy to be together. Some of his former colleagues and people from the soup kitchen were there,” said Lenhart. “It was a beautiful and sad celebration. People shared memories, their memories of Jamal.”

“He was very kind and compassionate and just a very nice guy. He always had a smile on his face and was always warm and friendly.”

The Windham No Freeze Project’s 28 shelters are currently full, with 20 on the waiting list. There is a separate list for families.

The organization also supports the homeless through an assistance program to help those in need who live outdoors or in tents.

“We didn’t know it was Jamal until Thursday,” Lenhart said of his death. “He said he was taking a night off. We encourage our guests to stay with a friend or family member if possible because we see this as an opportunity for a more permanent housing situation.”

“That morning I heard that someone had died in the storm and I checked with emergency services. It was heartbreaking, he died in bad weather and we were founded to protect people from the elements and we have evolved into a year-round shelter. But…”

Lenhart has been in her current position since 2019 and has spent the last 12 years with the organization. She said there is a growing need for a service like the Windham No Freeze Project.

“Homelessness is increasing and we have a waiting list for homeless shelters for the first time,” Lenhart said. “We’re seeing a huge increase in people over 60. It’s heartbreaking. We’re getting calls from women who are 77 and sleeping in cars. It’s unimaginable. We’re seeing more elderly and disabled people here.”

Lenhart said the lack of affordable housing is the main reason for the rise in homelessness in the state. Other homeless advocates have also cited housing costs, as well as the loss of protections in place during the pandemic, inflationary pressures and the state’s lack of housing.

“A senseless tragedy”

Emergency crews arrived on Union Avenue shortly after 10:30 p.m. the night of the storm and worked to remove the tree. It was too late to save McWilliams’ life, Willimantic Fire Chief Marc Scrivener said.

“When we got there, I wasn’t there, but we found a patient under a large tree. He had been crushed by a large branch and we had great difficulty reaching him. The rescue crews used supports to get to him,” said Scrivener.

Supporting is a rescue technique used to transfer the weight of a load and provide temporary support during a rescue.

Scrivener said he has never seen a similar incident in the city during his tenure as police chief, since 2010.

“I can’t think of any other incident like this in our community,” Scrivener said. “A number of people have come to me and expressed their dismay. This is just a senseless tragedy. There’s no one to be angry at. It just happens.”

Scrivener said he couldn’t remember the weather forecast before the storm, but received a weather alert on his phone shortly before the heavy wind gusts swept through the city.

The chief said he also received a call from the National Weather Service inquiring about the event.

“It came quite suddenly with dramatic winds,” Scrivener said.

“The first explosion was the most violent. I asked if it was a microburst, but they didn’t have enough data at the time,” he said. “We’re no strangers to microbursts in this area – especially since the surrounding towns of Lebanon and Chaplin suffered little to no damage.”