Hi everyone, last night we were hit hard by a storm. We are in Hanover right now, picking up supplies to make a few repairs on our structures, so I thought I’d use this opportunity to update everyone.
Our home, barn, and main buildings are okay. All of our dogs Maggie and Mocha are fine, as is our family. However, our pastures were devastated. The wind destroyed half of our chicken tractors, snapping the 2x4s and 2x6s. When they came back down, they landed on many of the chickens. Also, the wind destroyed our feeders and waters, snapping the legs off of every single one and tossing houses from the wind. Unfortunately, I can only purchase replacement feeders and waters online, which are $70 each, so for now, I think I can prop them up using bricks as a temporary fix.
A tree broke in half and came down on one of our horses, severely breaking her leg. We had to humanely put her down as she was in horrible pain. Many chickens were also killed. It was an extremely difficult thing to witness for us and for Abby.
Trees came down in every pasture, and the lines were snapped. Once the trees are cleared, we will reconnect to our generator to make things hot again.
Our main concern is getting water to all of the animals as we use a couple of hundred gallons per day. We have a generator, but we don’t have a hookup to our breaker box to be able to run the well. If anyone knows an electrician to help us with this, it would mean the world to us.
If you joined our CSA this season, pick-up will be on Saturday. I will send a group text to all of my CSA members. Thank you for all your prayers, and God bless you!
UPDATE 8-10-23:
We are out of power again but now I have internet again?! I’m not sure how long service will last. We had many people come by today to help us clean up all the Debris. I also have had several people stop and give financial help. I am truly blessed to have all of you, I feel like a very blessed lady even in the midst of this all. We have such an amazing community of people. While I have service im going to try thanking you all individually.
I wanted to give everyone a new update. Last night we had several friends and neighbors come by to help us. We were able to repair the three sets of fences. Our one friend cut up the tree at Jordan’s pasture, the one that came down the horses, so now that pasture is again in working order. We have two dangling branches on two trees that we will need to take care of. We also still have to remove all the branches and trees on the ground. I was able to temporarily rig a few waters and feeders, using bricks, for my homeless chickens. I do have two out of five houses that are still usable, with only minor damages. We decided we will throw up a temporary fence around the chickens, open up the two chicken houses, even though they can’t be pulled in their condition, they can still provide shelter. That way the chickens without houses, feeders and waters will have all those things. We will just need to refill several times a day.
It’s just been a whirlwind and everything happened so quick and unexpectedly. I’m so thankful for all of you who have offered help, expressed your love, kindness and have prayed for us. Thank you also to those of you who have been able to help us financially. Just the replacement of the feeders and water will cost about 1,500. And it’s tight right now, I appreciate it more than you know. Our cousin did set up a go fund me, I shared it here on my page. My sister-in-law also shared my Venmo in the comments of the last post. Thanks to all of you, I know it’ll all be ok.
