Snow Emergencies have struck Connecticut Agriculture a terrible blow.
The video shows the removal of the 14th horse from this barn that collapsed under the weight of snow and ice. Every day this week the news outlets have carried reports of more roofs in danger of collapse or in many case gone down. The total loss to the 3.5 billion dollar industry of CT. Ag. is yet to be determined, and more snow is in the forecast.
( to read more about the 3.5 billion industry please visit http://today.uconn.edu/?p21744 )
Some suggestions for future heavy snow events:
Clear as much as possible from roof
Have house or barn number clearly marked street side for emergency vehicles to find you!
Have flashlights and batteries on hand
Keep a list of emergency contact numbers in your home and cell phone
Have a list of places to evacuate to and transportation help
Have 1 or 2 paddocks separate from barns to move animals to, and away from emergency vehicles
In case you are not home post name and contact info on barn or house
have halters and lead ropes at stall doors for quick removal of horses
take pictures of your buildings for insurance purposes before something happens
watch for signs of strain – cracks, doors not working right, sounds
HEAR IT, FEAR IT, GET OUT!!!
Not just barns greenhouses, kennels, sheds, stores, schools, be alert where ever you go!
HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN!!!
Topmost Herb Farm / Carole Miller Coventry, Ct. – this IS where your food comes from! Learn more on her Facebook Page