Winter Weather Causes Farm Devastation

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Heavy snow, freezing rain and high winds last week led to the collapse of a dairy barn in the Mohawk Valley of central New York near Little Falls.

"We are just so thankful it happened on a Sunday when very few workers were on the farm," said Insight Dairy owner Jess Hula-Fredericks. She and her husband, Chris Fredericks, milk about 2,300 head and lost a few cows in the collapse. "I had come home to get some lunch, and a neighbor called to say the barn had collapsed. Thankfully, there were no people in the barn at the time. During a regular weekday, several people would have been in there."

Within a few hours on Sunday, Feb. 16, friends and neighbors arrived to help pick up the mess left behind and get the cows that were OK to safety.

Several barn and structure collapses have happened in this area of New York, but others have been reported in Vermont and New Hampshire too. Cornell University Extension's PRO-DAIRY group said removal of snow accumulated on barn roofs can help prevent structure failure if done in a safe, systematic manner.

SNOW PILED UP FROM SEVERAL STORMS

Winter snowstorms have dumped several feet of snow in areas of New York and other eastern states, leading to the structural problems. DTN Senior Weather Risk Communicator Nathan Hamblin, from the area, said it has been a tough winter in upstate New York. "The issue wasn't necessarily from this event itself, but the culmination of several events that took place from early January through last week," he said. "Typically, lake effect snow comes, and thaws occur in between. That allows for some of the snow to melt, which would take some of the burden off of structures."

In 2025, the thaws didn't happen, and temperatures stayed below freezing for an extended amount of time. In between the larger winter weather events, several smaller events added to the snowpack, which the structures had to deal with, according to Hamblin.

WINTER WEATHER CAUSES COLLAPSES

The cumulative effect of increasing snowpack on roofs over a long period of time has made the structural failures so destructive in these areas. Cornell's PRO-DAIRY said barns and other buildings should be assessed for potential problems, with attention given to areas where creaking is heard or bowing of rafters is seen.

Removing snow from roofs should be done very carefully, being aware of the dangers that are present. This should not be done during working hours in case something serious happens and safety gear should be used to prevent injury. Removing the same amount from one side and then the other, gradually moving up to the peak, is important to not have a heavier uneven load in one spot.

Hula-Frederick said more than 150 people showed up the day after the collapse to assist with cleanup and rebuilding the barn. Those who weren't physically able to help provided food and drinks for all the workers. Repairs are ongoing, and they hope to be able to use the barn again soon.

"This is easily the most devastating event we have ever experienced. We know how lucky we are because it could've been much worse," she said. "We are very thankful for no human injuries and all the help we have received from our community, friends and neighbors."

The forecast for central New York over the next several days is a mixture of winter weather, but not near as much snow and warmer temperatures are expected. "This part of the state has experienced these types of events with certain regularity. The cumulative effect over a long period of time is what made this so destructive in nature," Hamblin said.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal.

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