Do you have a plan in place?
It is storm season, and it seems like it begins earlier every year. We have all seen plenty of severe storms consisting of high winds, flooding and tornados. When you are a farmer or rancher your thoughts are not always about your own safety, but for your livestock and equipment as well. What do you do when you are caught in the storm and a shelter or safety is out of reach?
Download a trusted, local weather app and have your alerts turned on so when severe weather is happening in your area, you can be notified. Check the weather app and radar frequently so you can keep track of pop-up storms in your area. If you have multiple farms, have your phone app where it can use your current location to stay updated. Have family and employees set up the same notifications and weather apps.
Identify a safe place before you need it, where will you go if you are caught in the storm? Know those safe areas at every location on your farm and make sure family and employees have a plan as well. Find a reinforced structure with plumbing. If you have a shop with a bathroom, that is a safer choice than in being in your vehicle.
A storm shelter is always the safest choice, but if you are caught in the open during a tornado, look for the lowest elevations, ditches, or culverts. Be aware of flash flooding if you decide to use one of these methods. If you are in your vehicle, you can try to out-run it, but you should be thinking about a place to take cover immediately.
If you do not have time and are caught in a barn, wrap yourself in blankets, put on a riding helmet or find something to cover your head and body and get down as low as you can.
Farmers and ranchers are sometimes their worst enemy during a storm as the greatest risk is the thought ‘I need to get one more thing done’. Putting in the tractor, the truck and trailer…thinking of all the other things and then the storm will be right on top of them before they know it.
Lightening is another risk for farmers, ranchers and livestock as a lightening strike can occur many miles before the actual storm.
Communicate with friends, family and employees before a severe storm and discuss a place for everyone to meet up if there is widespread damage on the farm. Using an app with a locator is a good idea during storm season. Many phones already have the ability to track, it just needs to be checked and turned on.
Severe weather preparedness for livestock should be addressed before it happens. During a severe watch, bring animals in if at all possible, to protect from flying debris. It is a hard call when severe weather is approaching to decide if animals should be left turned out or brought in. If you have a sturdy barn, that could be a better choice, but if a tornado comes thru, the shelter may not be the best bet.
Keep plenty of first aid supplies on hand for livestock (and yourself) such as gauze and wound care spray. Microchip pets and horses for the best chance of recovery or braid information tags into manes or write on hooves with markers. Have current photos of livestock and pets to prove ownership.
Being aware of severe weather and having a plan in place will help minimize the risk of being unprepared in the event of a storm. It is that time of year and we all want to protect our livelihood and investment but remember there is risk to your own life as well. Always be weather aware and use common sense and try not to push the limits as mother nature is not always as forgiving.
