PITTSBURGH \u2014 An update to a Channel 11 exclusive: Work is finally finished at the home of an 83-year-old woman who was in jeopardy of losing her house when a massive, 200-year-old Sycamore tree crushed the sewer line. <\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 82-year-old on the hook for massive bill after 200-year-old tree crushes sewer line<\/a><\/p>\n The community, the city and total strangers stepped up to pay for the massive job, which cost nearly $40,000. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m over the moon,\u201d Emma Johnson-Byas tells Channel 11. \u201cI\u2019m really feeling very happy about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma Johnson-Byas says she finally has her life back. When we first met her, Emma didn\u2019t know how she was going to pay the tens of thousands of dollars needed to cut down the giant tree and repair the sewer line it crushed. <\/p>\n We did a story because Emma wasn\u2019t able to shower, use her dishwasher or use her washer and dryer. The tree was also at risk of falling onto busy North Negley Avenue in Pittsburgh\u2019s East Liberty neighborhood. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Channel 11 gets results for elderly woman when tree crushes sewer line<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBeaver Jack Tree Co., they saw your piece on the news and said we\u2019re going to go help this woman out,\u201d Emma tells Channel 11. <\/p>\n City Councilman Khari Mosley was also watching. His team worked with the city to coordinate the tree removal. Emma\u2019s church and total strangers pitched in and donated $25,000 to her GoFundMe. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Sewer line repair can begin after massive tree is removed with help of Channel 11, local councilman<\/a><\/p>\n The old sycamore finally came down, and it was bittersweet for Emma. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re missing the tree,\u201d Emma said. \u201cMixed emotions about that. I\u2019m going to miss it, but I\u2019m so happy it\u2019s out, and it\u2019s not endangering.\u201d<\/p>\n Thursday, after working 13 feet underground to repair the sewer line running under the home, McVay Plumbing finished the job. <\/p>\n \u201cSeeing your whole battery of trucks and equipment and the work you do is just fabulous, so thank you,\u201d Emma tells crews from McVay Plumbing. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re glad that we can help you,\u201d McVay said. \u201cThat\u2019s our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n After months of stress, Emma was back to her smiling self, thanking everyone who pitched in. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m over the moon, that\u2019s all I can say,\u201d Emma added. \u201cI am deeply moved about the generosity of the people of Pittsburgh.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma says she now just needs to spruce up the landscaping and she\u2019ll be back in business, in the comfort of her own home. <\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n